Central Ave tunnels
An odd bit of local history: There were once tunnels under Central Ave in Colonie so pedestrian could cross. The Capital Moves project turned up this undated photo of tunnel entrances. This TU Colonie Blog commenter indicates there was a tunnel at Osborne and Central (map). And another commenter recollects there was a tunnel by the former Roessleville school (1237 Central Avenue) -- that comment even includes some details about what it was like to walk through the tunnel.
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The ones by the Roessleville School were there into the early '80s at least. They were fairly stylish looking entrances, with, if I recall correctly, three porthole windows in each side. When the tunnels themselves were closed off I don't know.
... said carl on Feb 12, 2014 at 1:47 PM | link
Cool! On a semi-related note, what route do most bike riders use to get in between Albany and Colonie? I've always found the Central - I90 corridor a little bit hairy to cross. I'd rather not ride down Central, but it seems like that's the best bet? I tried Everett once but that was a harrowing experience. Any other recommendations?
Maybe some tunnels or bridges (or bike lanes) could make that connection easier for bicycles / pedestrians!
... said Mike D on Feb 12, 2014 at 2:01 PM | link
My grandmother grew up in a large white house at 1284 Central Avenue, now a brick office building. I remember her talking about the tunnels near Roessleville Elementary where she attended. If I recall correctly, she mentioned something about a child being injured or killed by a motorist, prompting the tunnel construction. This was a memory from the 30s, so it may not be completely accurate.
She also used to mention the large sand dunes that were behind her house before Van Buren and Lockrow Avenues existed - Van Buren was her maiden name, and Lockrow was her mother's (my great grandmother's) maiden name.
She was also scared of riding her bike down Wolf Road, then a heavily wooded area, because of all the wildlife she may come across. Colonie has certainly changed since then!
... said Schuyler on Feb 12, 2014 at 2:27 PM | link
@Mike D: So, it depends a bit on where you're coming from and where you need to be in Colonie. If you want to end up on the Albany-Shaker end of Wolf Road, then I would bike up Route 9 from downtown and then cross over to Osborne Road or Maxwell Road. Long way around, but nice for riding.
A more direct route, and better if you're coming south of Madison, is to go out toward Buckingham Lake and take Berkshire Blvd., which with some winding around the neighborhoods can bring you out on Tryon at Western, pretty close to SUNY.
The direct alternative, at least out to the State Office Campus, is Washington Ave. It's not so bad for biking, though there's a lot of stop and go. From there, just before 85 you can take Jermain to Central.
... said Carl on Feb 12, 2014 at 3:02 PM | link
@Carl thanks for the help! I think I'm going to give Rt 9 / Northern Blvd a try next time I need to get out to Colonie.
... said Mike D on Feb 12, 2014 at 4:32 PM | link
There was also a tunnel at the Maywood School and I think another at Colonie Village School.
... said Bruce Veeder on Feb 12, 2014 at 10:08 PM | link
There were tunnels adjacent to all the South Colonie District Elementary schools on Central Ave, [I believe]: Roosevelt, Maywood, and Roessleville. I used the tunnel to walk under Central Avenue when the weather was beautiful, then about a mile to my home, rather than take the school bus. It only seemed scary the first few times when I was alone. I do remember the tunnel was painted green inside and well lit, round porthole windows in the concrete entrances with the iron gates. By fourth grade I rode my bike to school on the best days, and very cautiously crossed Central.
... said Tim on Feb 12, 2014 at 11:56 PM | link
I also remember there being crossing tunnels farther west on Central. One in front of Maywood School (near Farmer Boy Diner) and another farther west which my father tells me was the location of the former Roosevelt School where he attended kindergarten. I believe they were demolished in the early 80's but were closed quite a long time before that. My mother recalls that the tunnel near Roessleville was closed when she was a teenager in the 60's.
... said MikeH on Feb 13, 2014 at 7:18 AM | link
Yes, near Maywood School there was one i believe.
... said JJ on Feb 13, 2014 at 11:04 AM | link
There are some old tunnels like this under the train tracks by North Pearl Street (I'm pretty sure that's what they are anyway): https://www.google.com/maps/@42.660706,-73.747033,3a,75y,158.17h,70.31t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sdXYCNMJ3M_KS8TlfaSGhRg!2e0!6m1!1e1
I've seen these old structures in other cities. Someone once told me the reason they all got closed off is because people refused to use them because of very strong urine odors.
... said Solon on Feb 13, 2014 at 12:26 PM | link
Ever see the movie Reversible? THAT is why tunnels are a bad idea...
... said EastGreenbush9202898 on Feb 13, 2014 at 3:50 PM | link
I remember my mom sending me into the tunnel across from Maywood. She would wait for me to pop out on the other side and walk into school
... said janis on Nov 24, 2014 at 9:43 PM | link
There was a shopping center opened in the 60's across from Westgate called Grandway. There was a large store with a food counter inside where my cousin worked. Does anybody remember anything about this old shopping center
... said raymond mercier on Dec 16, 2015 at 9:09 AM | link
Yes , i remember the green painted steel & glass entrances to the tunnels. They were probably closed due to crime. I used to love to shop at The Grandway. I believe it was part of The Grand Union grocery chain, with a fun department store where i bought a gold ,sparkle dress that i wore one New Years Eve to The Golden Fox. Raymond Mercier can find out more about The Grandway from the FaceBook group called Albany ...memories of.
... said mg on Dec 16, 2015 at 10:57 AM | link