Governor Hochul initiates design phase for eagerly anticipated Interborough Express project connecting Brooklyn and Queens
The Brooklyn-Queens Interborough Express (IBX) project is in its design and engineering phase as of August 2025, with a $2.75 billion funding allocation approved in the MTA's 2025–2029 Capital Plan. This ambitious light rail line, expected to be operational in the early 2030s, will connect Sunset Park in Brooklyn to Jackson Heights in Queens, running along an existing freight corridor.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) anticipates the IBX to significantly reduce travel time between the boroughs, offering an end-to-end trip duration of approximately 32 minutes. With an anticipated ridership of around 160,000 daily passengers or 48 million trips annually, the IBX is set to be the busiest light rail line projected in the United States.
Key recent developments include the hiring of a joint venture between Jacobs and HDR to oversee the design and engineering phase, with a $165.9 million contract awarded in mid-2025. Construction is planned in two stages: first, site clearing, tunnel and bridge construction, and freight track relocation; second, installation of tracks, station building, and rolling stock purchase. Environmental reviews and public outreach, including virtual and in-person town halls, have been ongoing since 2023.
Stakeholders, such as New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, have emphasised the importance of the IBX, particularly in transit-desert neighbourhoods like Middle Village, Glendale, and Ridgewood in Queens. The new train line will connect 17 subway lines, 50 bus routes, and the Long Island Railroad, opening up a new world of opportunity without adding traffic on clogged roads.
Governor Kathy Hochul, who attended a celebration in Brooklyn for the approval of the IBX design contract, stated that the project is all about lifting up people's quality of life and keeping them safe in the City of New York. The IBX is considered a critical investment in making both Queens and Brooklyn boroughs liveable, workable, and playable.
As the IBX project moves closer to fruition, it is expected to bring about substantial changes to the public transportation landscape in New York City. The new train line will run 32 minutes end-to-end, making it the first rapid transit line built in New York City since the construction of the G train in 1937. For many, the IBX represents an investment in cutting commute times, which is an investment in ensuring families have more time together at home.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is focusing on securing additional funding from the industry and finance sectors to ensure the successful completion of the ambitious IBX project, as it is projected to be the busiest light rail line in the United States. With an anticipated end-to-end travel time of 32 minutes, the IBX will significantly reduce transportation time between Brooklyn and Queens, offering eased transportation for the residents, particularly those living in transit-desert neighborhoods.
