In 2018, the New York State Department of Transportation initiated a design-build project to rehabilitate five I-278 bridges in less than two years, including four bridges on the Staten Island Expressway and its service roads over Mosel Avenue and the Staten Island Railroad, and the 79th Street Bridge over the Gowanus Expressway in Brooklyn. The project was designed to complement recent improvements to the I-278 corridor, and was completed in 2020.
Community Outreach
The project was designed with the community in mind. To minimize disruptions, the contractor removed the existing concrete roadway in large sections to reduce the use of demolition equipment. Materials were fabricated to eliminate disruptions to the local community. In Brooklyn, a temporary bridge was installed adjacent to 79th Street, allowing construction to be performed during a shorter time period. These approaches reduced lane closures and daily work operations, resulting in less disruption for local residents and commuters.
Melissa Johnson Associates was responsible for outreach to all stakeholders, including the community board, elected officials, residents in the area of Mosel Avenue, residents and businesses near 79th Street, PS 127 McKinley Park School, and the Department of Motor Vehicles. Through open lines of communication, stakeholder concerns were incorporated into the design, and the community liaison kept stakeholders updated throughout construction.