CENTRAL AVE WEST
This project will examine future land use and transportation concepts for a three-mile segment of Central Avenue in the Town of Colonie. Together with the community, the project team will explore ways to encourage development and redevelopment, spur economic activity, improve access management, and improve safety and mobility for all roadway users.
CORRIDOR STUDY
Study Background
Central Avenue (NY State Route 5) is a five-lane roadway that serves as a historically important connection between Schenectady and Albany and provides local access to commercial areas and residential neighborhoods in the Town of Colonie. As transportation patterns and habits have changed over time, today the western portion of Central Avenue (from New Karner Road to the Colonie-Niskayuna boundary) is characterized by low-density land uses, roadside parking lots, and a high density of driveways and side streets.
Central Ave West carries approximately 23,316 vehicles per day. It is a straight road segment with few traffic signals to moderate traffic speed, leading to concerns about speeding, as well as the safety of pedestrians and cyclists. The Town of Colonie wishes to examine land use and transportation concepts for this corridor that may facilitate opportunities for nodal development and redevelopment, spur economic activity, improve access management, and improve safety and mobility for all roadway users, including drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and transit riders.
Central Avenue in the Town of Colonie is owned and maintained by NYSDOT who will be involved in coordination efforts. Central Avenue also carries the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) Red Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) route; the study will include coordination with CDTA.
In 2019, the Town of Colonie published an update to its 2005 Comprehensive Plan. The updated plan re-establishes the community’s vision for the future through the discussion of topics such as residential growth, economic development, land use, infrastructure, and community character.
Interactive Map
Use the interactive map to share:
Safety Issues: Think broadly. You can use this category to identify areas that feel unsafe and/or are challenging to access or cross as a pedestrian or cyclist or are characterized by unsafe driving/high speeds.
Land use improvements: We want to hear your ideas for improving this section of Central Avenue! Think about where new development should go and what types you would like to see – apartments, mixed-use, retail, commercial? What areas could become new centers of activity for nearby neighborhoods?
Destinations: Where are you going when traveling this corridor? Stopping within the study area or elsewhere?
To add a point to the map, either double click on the location where you'd like to add the point or click the "Add Point" button on the right side of the map to search for a location. To share or interact with the map in full screen mode, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/centralavestudy