October 2025
The Allegany Marshals want to remind everyone to stay safe while traveling along Old Route 17. Please drive carefully and help us take care of this important road.
Speed Limit
The speed limit is 25 miles per hour. Marshals will be watching. If you go over the speed limit, you will be pulled over. Please slow down and drive safe.
Vandalism
Anyone caught damaging signs or property will face charges.
Littering
Throwing trash on the ground is a violation of the Seneca Nation Conservation Law. Anyone caught littering will get a ticket. Please keep our land clean.
Daily Patrols
Marshals patrol Old Route 17 every day to make sure these rules are followed.
If you have questions or concerns, call (716) 801-3155.
To report an incident, call Seneca Nation Dispatch at (716) 945-2779. Dispatch is available 24 hours a day. Please drive safely, respect the road, and help keep our community safe.
Old Route 17 isn’t just a road – it’s a part of our history. Below is a message from Rebecca Bowen, Seneca Nation Archives, sharing what this road means to our people.
Rebecca Bowen, Archives Manager
Seneca Nation Archives – October 20, 2025:
The “old road” is a vital artery here at Ohi:yo’. For Senecas younger than 60 years of age it has always been known as the “old road” but for older Senecas it is a connection to our past, to another time, to parents, grandparents, loved ones now long gone, to precious memories.
Many of us lived along this major thoroughfare that was then known as Route 17. When Kinzua came many of our homes were burned to the ground and we were forcibly removed.
Federal and state agencies had planned to remove the road and the bridge, but Seneca leadership of that day believed it was important to keep the road and bridge intact.
Our leaders said the new 4-lane expressway that was planned would only serve to further sever our family, community and cultural ties as we were now relocated into two distinct “relocation areas.” Those new relocation areas, Jimersontown and Steamburg, were 13 miles apart but for us it could have been a million miles.
Today we are blessed to see the “old road” and the old bridge get new life. And we hope one day it will again connect Seneca families who have resettled along the way. So we hope that this road and this land be held in respect. Respect for those who came before us and lived their lives along this road and for Senecas who one day will live down the old way.
Respect the land. Respect our past. Respect our future. Respect one another. Respect the speed limit!
Nya:wëh,
Dave Isaac
Allegany Chief Marshal
