MTA Unveils Interborough Express: First New NYC Transit Line in a Century
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority revealed plans Wednesday for the Interborough Express (IBX), a proposed $5.5 billion light rail line connecting Brooklyn and Queens. The 14-mile route would stretch from the Brooklyn Army Terminal to Roosevelt Avenue, marking the city’s first new transit line since 1937.
Light Rail Chosen for Speed and Capacity
The MTA evaluated multiple technologies before selecting light rail for the IBX. Unlike traditional subway extensions, the line would not require tunnel boring, potentially accelerating construction timelines. The route would feature 18 new stations equipped with wider fare gates, multiple elevators, and comprehensive accessibility upgrades.
“We studied all different technologies. Light rail is the one that moves fastest, and it’s going to carry the most people because of the speed that it can move at,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber.
The projected trip time is approximately 30 minutes, with connections to 17 subway lines and the Long Island Rail Road. The agency is simultaneously advancing full ADA accessibility at three connecting subway stations ahead of the IBX opening, while accessibility improvements at the Wilson Avenue L station have been expedited within the 2025–29 Capital Plan.
Design Timeline and Funding Strategy
Design work on the passenger line is expected to conclude by year’s end. “And then we figure out exactly how fast we can get things moving, and shovels in the ground to give service to people in these neighborhoods,” said Jamie Torres-Springer of MTA Construction and Development.
Governor Kathy Hochul has directed the MTA to fast-track the project. “Fast. I want it done fast,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said.
Half of the $5.5 billion price tag is already secured through the MTA’s capital plan, bolstered by congestion pricing revenue. The remaining funding depends on federal contributions, introducing political uncertainty into the timeline.
Federal Support Critical to Timeline
“There was a point in time when the federal government was a leader in the fight for exactly these kinds of infrastructure fights. And I want to return to that,” said New York State Assembly Member Claire Valdez.
Valdez, who won the Democratic congressional primary in a district encompassing several proposed IBX stops, attended Wednesday’s informational pop-up event. She would join Democratic efforts to secure federal funding if the party prevails in upcoming elections.
“We take the majority in the House, we take the Senate, we take back the White House in two years, and I feel confident the money will be there at the federal level,” Hochul said. “But regardless, we’re committed to seeing this all the way through.”
Decade-Long Horizon for Completion
The Interborough Express is projected to open sometime in the next decade. If realized, it would represent the most significant expansion of New York City’s transit network in generations, linking historically underserved corridors across two boroughs without relying on Manhattan-centric routing.
