What started as a normal Wednesday drive quickly turned into a gridlock grind around East 28th Street and Seagirt Boulevard in Queens, where FDNY crews moved in and traffic ground to a halt.
Firefighters were operating at the intersection, leading to road closures and significant delays in the surrounding area. Officials also warned that mass-transit service in the neighborhood could feel the pinch while emergency personnel stayed on scene, urging drivers to build extra time into their trips and steer clear if they could.
FDNY Activity: Expect traffic delays, road closures, mass transit disruptions & emergency personnel near East 28th St & Seagirt Blvd, Queens. Use alternate routes.
— FDNY (@FDNY) July 8, 2026
According to Notify NYC, an alert issued at 11:43 a.m. spelled it out clearly for commuters: “Due to FDNY activity, expect traffic delays, road closures, mass transit disruptions and a heavy presence of emergency personnel in the area of East 28th Street and Seagirt Boulevard in Queens.” The notice urged motorists to consider alternate routes and pad their schedules.
The FDNY's official X account amplified the same guidance, reposting the alert and advising drivers to “use alternate routes” while firefighters continued work near the intersection, per FDNY on X. The post emphasized that the response was centered on that specific Queens crossroads, signaling a localized but disruptive operation.
What Drivers And Riders Should Do
Drivers are being told to avoid East 28th Street and Seagirt Boulevard if they can, follow detour signs and build in extra travel time if they have to pass through the area. Transit riders should keep an eye on real-time advisories, since any disruption to nearby service could add to the headache. The MTA posts current updates at MTA.
Anyone needing non-emergency city help, or looking to report trouble getting around, can call 311 or head to NYC 311.
Why Officials Use FDNY Activity Alerts
The “FDNY Activity” tag comes out when firefighters are actively operating and there is a reasonable chance public safety or mobility might be affected. As noted in prior coverage of a March Jerome Avenue response (Jerome Avenue traffic to a crawl), these alerts can be short lived or drag on while crews check out and resolve potential hazards.
Because conditions can change quickly, officials encourage New Yorkers to keep an eye on FDNY and Notify NYC channels for the latest confirmed updates before heading out.
