Interborough Express Brooklyn–Queens Rail Link Moves Into Design Phase

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has announced that the Interborough Express (IBX) rail link has moved from planning to active development, with design and engineering work now underway.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Board has approved a joint venture between Jacobs and HDR to lead the next phase of the project.

The 14-mile IBX line will run from Sunset Park in Brooklyn to Jackson Heights in Queens, using an existing freight corridor owned by the MTA Long Island Rail Road and CSX. It will feature 19 stations and provide connections to 17 subway lines, two Long Island Rail Road stations, and over 50 bus routes. Once completed, the route is expected to reduce end-to-end travel times to around 32 minutes.

Governor Hochul said:

Building the Interborough Express will transform New York, connecting communities like never before, shortening commutes and unleashing the full potential of Brooklyn and Queens. 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.

Light rail was selected as the preferred transit mode. The design process will focus on system components, including communications, signalling, track layout, vehicles, and civil works such as station and bridge construction.

The MTA has opted for a tunnel solution in Middle Village, Queens, to avoid delays associated with street-level running. This has contributed to a revised ridership projection of 160,000 daily passengers — an increase of 50,000 compared to earlier estimates.

The total cost of the IBX is estimated at 5.5 billion USD. Half of this amount has been secured through the MTA’s 2025–2029 Capital Plan. Additional funds include 45 million USD from the New York State 2025 budget and 16 million USD in federal grants, including support from the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) programme.

The IBX will be the first entirely new rapid transit corridor built within New York City since the IND Crosstown Line opened in 1937. It will also bring new stations to boroughs that have seen limited transit expansion in recent decades, particularly in areas that have historically had fewer public transport options.