Governor Kathy Hochul has announced the start of the engineering and design phase for the Interborough Express (IBX), a new transit project aimed at connecting Brooklyn and Queens. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Board has chosen a joint venture between Jacobs and HDR to oversee this phase, marking significant progress for the 14-mile line that will run from Sunset Park in Brooklyn to Jackson Heights in Queens.
The IBX is expected to reduce travel times between Brooklyn and Queens to 32 minutes end-to-end. In April, Governor Hochul approved $2.75 billion in funding for the project as part of the MTA’s 2025-2029 Capital Plan.
“Building the Interborough Express will transform New York, connecting communities like never before, shortening commutes and unleashing the full potential of Brooklyn and Queens,” Governor Hochul said. “The IBX is the sort of project that future generations will describe as a no-brainer, and thanks to funding we secured for the MTA’s Capital Plan, we’re not just talking about it – we’re getting it done.”
The new light rail service will serve nearly 900,000 residents living along its route and approximately 260,000 workers near its corridor. It will feature 19 stations with connections to 17 subway lines, two Long Island Rail Road stations, and about 50 bus routes. The project uses an existing freight rail line owned by MTA LIRR and CSX Corp., with current freight operations managed by New York and Atlantic Railway.
This initiative marks the first time since 1937 that a new rapid transit line built entirely within New York City has been developed; IBX stations in Brooklyn are also set to be the first constructed there since 1948.
Governor Hochul’s recent transportation efforts include breaking ground on Midtown Bus Terminal upgrades with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, launching congestion pricing in Manhattan earlier this year—which has reduced traffic while boosting economic activity—and securing federal support for major projects such as Hudson Tunnel Project improvements.
In November 2023, full funding was secured for phase two of the Second Avenue Subway extension. Earlier initiatives included state support addressing post-pandemic fiscal challenges at MTA, opening Grand Central Madison station in January 2023 for expanded LIRR service into Midtown Manhattan, and beginning work on Penn Access to bring Metro-North trains into Penn Station.
MTA Chair Janno Lieber commented: “The IBX is a life-changer for millions. It’s about time Brooklyn and Queens residents could move directly between our two most populous boroughs – for jobs, education, recreation and everything else. I want to thank Governor Hochul and our partners in Albany and Washington for their support getting this project off the ground.”
Jamie Torres-Springer, President of MTA Construction & Development added: “The Interborough Express will transform mobility in New York’s two largest boroughs with fast, reliable, frequent public transit. I look forward to getting the design process underway and continuing the MTA’s track record of completing projects better, faster and cheaper than ever before.”
Design work beginning this summer focuses on key aspects such as communications systems, vehicle design, track layout as well as civil engineering tasks like station construction or bridge reconstruction. A tunnel solution under Metropolitan Avenue in Middle Village replaces prior plans for street-level operation there—an update projected to cut running times from 39 minutes down to 32 minutes while increasing estimated daily ridership from previous forecasts by more than half.
Annual ridership projections now stand at roughly 48 million passengers—higher than any other U.S. light rail system including Los Angeles’ network.
Light rail was selected based on value considerations; around seventy percent of riders are expected to transfer within other parts of MTA’s system during their journey. Station locations were determined using public feedback alongside ridership models.
Funding comes mainly from $45 million allocated through New York State’s budget plus contributions via USDOT grants—including $15 million from RAISE grants—for assessment studies supporting design activities. USDOT also provided $1 million toward financial advisory services related to innovative funding strategies; overall cost estimates place total expenses at $5.5 billion with half already committed through state capital planning.
Community engagement has included ten open houses attended by nearly one thousand local residents plus outreach events across ten subway stations along IBX’s path reaching over thirteen hundred individuals plus area businesses; quarterly virtual meetings keep elected officials informed throughout development stages.
“Building the Interborough Express will transform New York, connecting communities like never before, shortening commutes and unleashing the full potential of Brooklyn and Queens,” said Governor Kathy Hochul.
State Senator Leroy Comrie stated: “This is the first new rapid transit line built entirely within New York City in nearly a century…By reducing travel times by up to 30 minutes…the Interborough Express will bring real relief…”
Other lawmakers echoed similar support emphasizing improved connectivity across underserved neighborhoods; Assemblymember Andrew Hevesi called it “a once-in-a-generation investment” focused on equity while Assemblymember Alicia L. Hyndman described it as “a lifeline” benefiting students or families relying upon public transport access throughout both boroughs.
Council Member Farah N. Louis noted that utilizing existing freight corridors represents efficient infrastructure development targeting historically disconnected communities such as East Flatbush or Canarsie—areas often described as “transit deserts.”
Ben Furnas from Transportation Alternatives summarized broader advocacy sentiment: “A new rail connection between Brooklyn and Queens is crucial…We’re thrilled that today it’s one step closer…”
