NYC’s most anticipated transit project, the Interborough Express (IBX), is finally one step closer to becoming real–and it promises to transform travel between Brooklyn and Queens like never before. For too long, commuting between these two boroughs has been damn near impossible, forcing riders to juggle multiple subway lines or detour through Manhattan. The IBX aims to fix that by providing faster, more direct service across 20 neighborhoods.
The MTA held the first public open house on the project back in April, and more recently, at its July 30 meeting, the MTA board approved the full design, including a $166 million contract with Jacobs and HDR to handle detailed engineering, surveys, and environmental studies. This project, estimated to cost $5.5 billion, is funded through the MTA’s $68.4 billion 2025-2029 capital plan. Charles Gantz, project executive for the IBX, stated:
The joint venture was selected because of its strong leadership team, thoughtful management approach, its comprehensive understanding of corridor constraints, and its extensive experience performing the work of comparable magnitude and complexity.
What is the Interborough Express (IBX)?
The Interborough Express, referred to as IBX for short, is a transformative, 14-mile proposed rapid transit project that will connect 20 currently underserved areas of Brooklyn and Queens.
The IBX has three main goals:
- Substantially cut down on travel times between Queens and Brooklyn
- Reduce congestion
- Expand economic opportunities for the people who live and work in the surrounding neighborhoods
How does light rail transit differ from the subway?
Light rail transit (LRT), the system planned for the Interborough Express, can operate on both dedicated tracks and city streets. Its cars are typically smaller than standard subway cars.
Following extensive planning, analysis, and community input, light rail was selected as the preferred option for offering the best rider experience and overall value.
Where will the Interborough Express be constructed?
Though officials toyed with the idea of constructing the light rail underneath All Faiths Cemetery in Queens’ Middle Village, the project would be built along the existing LIRR-owned Bay Ridge Branch and CSX-owned Fremont Secondary, a 14-mile freight line that extends from Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, to Jackson Heights, Queens.
The MTA’s website explains that utilizing the existing rail infrastructure means the Interborough Express could be built more quickly and efficiently. It would also preserve the Bay Ridge Branch’s use as a freight line, providing an opportunity to connect to the Port Authority’s Cross-Harbor Freight Project.
What is the IBX route?
The light rail with travel between southern and eastern Brooklyn and central Queens between 19 proposed stations. These neighborhoods (in addition to communities that don’t currently have a rail station) include:
- Sunset Park
- Borough Park
- Kensington
- Midwood
- Flatbush
- Flatlands
- New Lots
- Brownsville
- East New York
- Bushwick
- Ridgewood
- Middle Village
- Maspeth
- Elmhurst
- Jackson Heights
What benefits do the Interborough Express provide?
The Interborough Express is expected to connect with up to 17 subway lines, the Long Island Rail Road, and more than 50 bus routes, with end-to-end travel times projected to be under 40 minutes. As outlined on the MTA’s website, additional project benefits of the Interborough Express are as follows:
- A direct public transit option between Brooklyn and Queens
- Connections with up to 17 subway lines and Long Island Rail Road
- A faster commute–end-to-end rides are expected to take 40 minutes
- A new transit option in underserved locations where more than a third of residents are below the federal poverty line
How many riders will the Interborough Express service?
The project would introduce a new transit option for nearly 900,000 residents living along the route, as well as 260,000 people who work in Brooklyn and Queens. Estimated weekday ridership is around 115,000. MTA chair and president Janno Lieber stated:
A complete change of mobility and access for so many people. This is a huge deal. The IBX is going to change people’s lives and folks are understandably psyched about it.
How much will IBX fare cost?
The cost to ride the IBX will be determined at a later date by the MTA Board.
When will the Interborough Express be completed?
While the proposal is promising, it’s unfortunately still several years away from becoming a reality. Construction will take place in two phases:
- The first will focus on preparing the corridor through demolitions, utility relocations, and tunnel work
- The second phase will involve laying tracks, building stations, and developing a new maintenance yard
All in all, the IBX won’t be operational until the early 2030s.
Beyond the IBX, a network of protected bike lanes is also en route to connect Queens and North Brooklyn, and the Gateway Tunnel is also in the works to connect NY and NJ.
