Marc Wouters Studios developed the Streamline Plan for renovation of the 

I-278 BQE Triple Cantilever, The Streamline Plan is less invasive, costs less, reduces GHG, and is quicker to build than other options for this highway.  It leaves the historic Brooklyn Heights Promenade and Brooklyn Bridge Park intact. 

The critical traffic artery, which handles over 130,000 vehicles per day, requires renovation after decades of use. The complex site includes several historic landmarks including the Brooklyn Bridge, the Promenade, Brooklyn Bridge Park, and extensive residential neighborhoods.

By keeping and repurposing the existing Triple Cantilever structure, the plan requires at least 30% less construction than the other plans, and the cost savings could easily be several hundred million. The plan widens the lower vehicular deck to accept 4 lanes of traffic with shoulders. This approach allows the heavy weight and vibrations from traffic to be removed from approximately 65 % of the existing structure, so the need for complete replacement of the Triple Cantilever’s retaining wall may not be necessary. The upper vehicular deck is converted to a landscape deck for pedestrian and bike use that no longer vibrates.

The plan allows two lanes of traffic to move in each direction through the site during most of the construction period without the use of a temporary parallel highway or diverting tons of traffic on local streets. Its highly efficient and cost effective in that regard.

The Studio is currently working on the Teardown of elevated highway I-81 in Syracuse and its transformation into an urban boulevard. Mr. Wouters was awarded BHA’s Outstanding Service Award in 2020.