NYS Thruway Traverses Montezuma NWR

New Thruway

I am not sure why this seems like such a big deal, except that we were just kids when the NYS Thruway was built. At that time, in the 1950s, it was huge! It was going to mean that Routes 5 and 20 would become secondary roads. I remember before the toll booths were opened, we were allowed to drive on it, and it was thrilling. The progress! The newness!

Now, this summer and fall, in two sections westbound between Syracuse and Weedsport, the Thruway Authority has taken it down to the dirt and put down two pristine lanes of concrete. They did similarly on eastbound lanes last year. 

It is a Tonka lover's dream... cement plant, the big machine that applies the cement, big trucks upon trucks, graders, steam rollers, shoulders and landscaping, and many jobs.

How am I supposed to hold this goodness with the fact that we must reduce our dependence upon gasoline over the next very few decades?

Bluebird Box on the NYS Thruway

Many years ago Thruway workers put up 6 or 8 bluebird boxes, or maybe more, along the westbound lanes 3-4 miles before exit 29A.

When you enlarge this one you can see the Thruway emblem.

I imagine some guy building them either at home in his spare time or in the shop at the Thruway during the winter, and putting them up to add interest to the drive along this flat stretch of highway. Not to mention homes for bluebirds.

I haven't seen any being replaced, and the only one I could find to photograph is missing its roof. I believe there are 2 or 3 more remaining that are hidden by foliage right now. They are easier to see in the winter.

I hope this Thruway worker his enjoying retirement. He deserves it.