In 2019, the New York City Department of Transportation began rehabilitating a section of southbound Interstate 678 leading to eastbound Belt Cross Island Parkway over the Interstate 678 service road in Whitestone, Queens.

This two-year undertaking includes removing the existing concrete deck, safety walk, railing, and steel girders; constructing a new concrete deck, parapets, abutment block, and approach slab; and installing new barriers, concrete deck, approach slabs, protective shielding, and steel beams.

Melissa Johnson Associates’ provides community outreach services to NYCDOT for this project, coordinating closely with the community board, elected officials, other city and state agencies, emergency services, residents, and businesses in Whitestone and Malba. The roadwork is being done in two stages in order to maintain one lane of traffic on the bridge throughout construction, resulting in fewer impacts to motorists.

MJA’s dedicated community liaison maintains an open dialogue with all stakeholders, announces lane closures to motorists who frequent the area, and anticipates and mitigates community issues on behalf of the project team and NYCDOT. Community outreach for this project also includes managing NYC’s abrasive blasting and lead paint notification protocols, attending a variety of community meetings, updating local residents on construction activities, presenting to stakeholder agencies and organizations, and coordinating with other local NYCDOT and NYSDOT project teams.