New York State Route 33 (NY 33) is a state‑maintained highway located in the western portion of the U.S. state of New York. The route runs in an east‑west direction, connecting the city of Buffalo with the town of Walworth near the village of East Bloomfield. It traverses primarily Erie and Monroe counties and serves as a regional connector between suburban communities and the two metropolitan areas of Buffalo and Rochester.
Route description
- Western terminus: NY 33 begins at an intersection with NY 5 (Main Street) in the city of Buffalo.
- Path: From Buffalo, the highway proceeds eastward, passing through the towns of Amherst, Cheektowaga, and the village of Depew in Erie County. It continues into Monroe County, intersecting several major highways, including Interstate 90 (the New York State Thruway) and Interstate 490. The route then proceeds through the towns of Gates, Greece, and the village of East Rochester.
- Eastern terminus: NY 33 ends at an intersection with U.S. Route 20 (US 20) in the town of Walworth, near the hamlet of East Bloomfield.
The total length of NY 33 is approximately 44 miles (71 km).
History
NY 33 was assigned as part of the 1930 renumbering of state highways in New York. Since its designation, the route has undergone several realignments and truncations, most notably the removal of a former western extension that reached the Pennsylvania state line. The current alignment has been largely stable since the mid‑20th century, with adjustments primarily made to accommodate the construction of the New York State Thruway and other interstate highways.
Major intersections
Key junctions along NY 33 include:
- NY 5 in Buffalo (western terminus)
- Interstate 190 (I‑190) in Buffalo/Amherst
- Interstate 90 (I‑90) near Depew
- Interstate 490 (I‑490) near the Rochester metropolitan area
- NY 31 in the town of Gates
- US 20 in Walworth (eastern terminus)
Significance
NY 33 functions as an important arterial road for local traffic, providing access to commercial districts, residential neighborhoods, and industrial areas along its corridor. It also serves as an alternative route for travelers seeking to avoid the interstate system between Buffalo and Rochester.
References
- New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) highway logs and maps.
- Official state highway route descriptions published by the New York State Department of Transportation.
- Historical records of the 1930 New York state highway renumbering.