Elmwood and Scottsville Intersection in Rochester — Live Webcam

History of the Transport Hub: From 1962 to the Present

The intersection of Elmwood Avenue and Scottsville Road is a key point in southwest Rochester where several major highways converge. The modern configuration of this hub took shape around 1962, when New York State Route 47 was rerouted between Chili and Elmwood Avenue to bypass the Rochester-Monroe County Airport. Instead of the former turn onto Brooks Avenue, traffic flowed south along Elmwood Avenue toward Scottsville Road, creating the heavy traffic that can now be observed via the live webcam.

Elmwood Avenue: A Radial Artery with Character

Elmwood Avenue is not just a street — it's one of those radial arteries that fan out from downtown Rochester like the spokes of a wheel. Unlike Main Street or Delaware Avenue, this highway was not part of Joseph Ellicott's original plan for the city. Today it is a wide road — over 40 feet wide — carrying between 9,000 and 21,000 vehicles per day depending on the section. The speed limit here is 30–35 mph, though, as local residents note, it is not always observed.

Genesee Street: Named After the Jaynes Family

Scottsville Road is duplicated by Genesee Street in this section, and this name has deep historical roots. According to WorldAtlas data, a house built by a man named Jaynes stood on Genesee Street as early as 1750, giving the street its name. The current building on this site is a brick house in the Greek Revival style, dating to 1846–47. This is one of the oldest street names in the city, dating back to pre-Rochester development.

University of Rochester and Parks Along the Genesee

The University of Rochester is located in close proximity to the intersection, with its central utility facilities mentioned in the context of Elmwood Avenue. Nearby is the Bausch & Lomb Riverside Park — a park on the banks of the Genesee River, connected to the historic bridge over the Genesee on Elmwood Avenue. The first bridge here was built in 1888, and photographs from 1909 show crowds on the bridge during the annual city water carnival.

Wartime and Victory Gardens

In July 1943, a demonstration victory garden was dismantled on Elmwood Avenue — part of a wartime initiative to provide food. This is a characteristic episode from the city's life during World War II, when urban spaces were actively used for agricultural needs.

What You Can See on the Camera

The live camera at the Elmwood and Scottsville intersection broadcasts a multi-lane highway with several lanes of traffic in both directions, separated by a metal barrier guardrail. Cars of various colors and models travel along the road. In the distance, an overpass or flyover is visible. In the background are commercial and public buildings, trees, and green spaces along the road. In the upper left corner, there is a text label with the name of the intersection. The camera covers a typical urban transport hub with active vehicle traffic in Rochester, New York.