New York’s next major transit milestone is officially on track. Governor Kathy Hochul has announced that the long-awaited Interborough Express (IBX) project is moving from planning to action, with design and engineering work launching this summer.
On July 31, the MTA Board approved a joint venture between Jacobs and HDR to lead the next phase — marking a major milestone for a light rail line set to transform daily life for nearly 900,000 residents and 260,000 workers across Brooklyn and Queens.
“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 $5.5 billion project — with $2.75 billion already secured in the MTA’s historic 2025-2029 Capital Plan — will create a 14-mile light rail line along an existing freight corridor stretching from Sunset Park to Jackson Heights. Riders will gain direct connections to 17 subway lines, 50 bus routes, and two LIRR stations, dramatically cutting cross-borough commutes by up to 30 minutes.
Projected ridership is enormous: 48 million annual trips, topping any current U.S. light rail system — even Los Angeles’. 19 new stations are planned, bringing modern transit to neighborhoods that haven’t seen new rail stops in decades.
“The IBX is a life-changer for millions,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “It’s about time Brooklyn and Queens residents could move directly between our two most populous boroughs – for jobs, education, recreation and everything else.”
“The Interborough Express will transform mobility in New York’s two largest boroughs with fast, reliable, frequent public transit,” said MTA Construction & Development President Jamie Torres-Springer. “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.”
The design phase, supported by $45 million in state budget funds and a $15 million federal RAISE grant, will tackle complex planning — from signal and vehicle design to new bridges, stations, tunnels, retaining walls and the rail yard.
A refined plan now routes the line under Metropolitan Avenue in Middle Village via a tunnel, avoiding on-street tracks and reducing travel times to 32 minutes end-to-end — 7 minutes faster than earlier proposals. The daily ridership projection has jumped to 160,000 trips per day.
Local leaders see the IBX as transformative for communities historically cut off from the city’s core.
“This is the first new rapid transit line built entirely within New York City in nearly a century and it’s happening in communities that need it most,” said State Senator Leroy Comrie. “By reducing travel times by up to 30 minutes and reaching nearly 900,000 residents, the Interborough Express will bring real relief to everyday New Yorkers.”
The project builds on Governor Hochul’s recent big-ticket transit wins, from securing a $6.88 billion federal grant for the Hudson Tunnel Project to funding the Second Avenue Subway expansion, launching Grand Central Madison, and piloting congestion pricing — all to create a more connected, modern transit future for the nation’s largest city.
Public outreach is ongoing: since last year, the MTA has hosted multiple open houses, pop-up events and virtual councils to gather feedback and fine-tune the plan. Community engagement will continue throughout the design phase.
State and local leaders are united behind the effort:
“The Interborough Express will make it easier for New Yorkers to access jobs, schools, and everything else they need to thrive,” said State Senator Andrew Gounardes.
“It’s a generational opportunity to better connect our communities.”
“This project will advance public transit access for millions, including thousands of my neighbors,” said State Senator Kristen Gonzalez.
“I’m proud to have supported our state budget’s investment and grateful to the Governor and MTA for this move forward.”
With final design work starting this summer, the IBX moves one step closer to construction — and to becoming the first new end-to-end rapid transit line built entirely within the city since the IND Crosstown Line opened in 1937.
“A new rail connection between Brooklyn and Queens is crucial to the future of New York,” said Ben Furnas, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives. “The IBX will improve the lives of New Yorkers and make it significantly easier to get around huge swaths of our city.”
When complete, the IBX will stand as a symbol of New York’s ability to adapt, connect, and deliver long-overdue service for communities that have waited nearly a century for a modern link between boroughs.
Originally reported by Construction and Development in MTA.