The much-anticipated Interborough Express (IBX) that promises to link Queens and Brooklyn directly is now firmly on track, following a green light for its design phase. The MTA board approved a major design contract as of July 30, with an eye on turning an existing, sparsely used freight line into a bustling light rail service for an estimated 200,000 daily passengers. The news comes as a significant milestone for the subway-starved boroughs, where the majority of current transit options inconveniently funnel through Manhattan.
With a nearly $166 million design contract locked in with Jacobs and HDR, the IBX project is expected to not just bridge the gap between the two boroughs but to also knit together communities, spark economic growth, and drastically shorten commutes. The contract, according to statements from MTA officials, encompasses a laundry list of preparatory work – including surveys, geotechnical and environmental assessments, and negotiations vital for the trajectory of the new rail line. Charles Gantz, the IBX project executive, credited the joint venture with possessing the "strong leadership team, thoughtful management approach, its comprehensive understanding of corridor constraints, and its extensive experience performing the work of comparable magnitude and complexity," as noted by AMNY.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has been a staunch advocate for the Interborough Express, which is expected to become the city's first new end-to-end rapid transit built entirely within since 1937. The route proposed would conveniently connect riders from Bay Ridge to Jackson Heights in 40 minutes or less, intertwining up to 17 subway lines along the way. "Building the Interborough Express will transform New York, connecting communities like never before, shortening commutes and unleashing the full potential of Brooklyn and Queens," Hochul expressed in a statement shared by NBC New York.
The ambitious light rail system is not just a massive transportation project but is also recognized for its potential to act as an equalizer in a region where many residents are low-income and people of color with inadequate access to efficient mass transit. The census data enlisted by the governor's office points to the stark need for improved transportation options: 7 of 10 residents within a half-mile of the proposed corridor are people of color, and many households do not have access to a car. It is promised to reaffirm the state's commitment to equity and access. MTA Chair and President Janno Lieber echoed the transformative potential of the IBX, noting, "This is a huge deal. The IBX is going to change people’s lives and folks are understandably psyched about it," as reported by AMNY.
The entire IBX route is being pitched as more than a convenience; it is to serve as an artery enabling nearly 130,000 residents to fluidly navigate between and within the boroughs without the customary hassle of bus delays or indirect subway routes. Moreover, the developments come solvent, secured under the MTA's colossal $68.4 billion 2025-2029 capital plan, which earmarks substantial funds for such expansion projects. The MTA has not yet set fares for the IBX, but they are expected to fall in line with standard subway costs.
