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Interborough Express

The Interborough Express is a transformative light rail project that will connect currently underserved areas of Brooklyn and Queens.
Updated Apr 3, 2026

Details

  • Location
    Brooklyn, Queens
  • Type
    System Expansion
  • Status
    Planning

Area Map

A rendering of the proposed Flatbush/Nostrand Avs station on the Interborough Express

Timeline

Pre-Planning
  • January 2022: Gov. Kathy Hochul directs the MTA to begin the environmental review process
  • January 2023: Light rail selected as mode, planning report released
  • August 2023: Environmental consultant retained
  • 2024 to 2025: Open houses and pop-up engagement with community members
  • April 2025: 2025-2029 MTA Capital Plan funded, including funding for IBX
Environmental Review
  • October 2025: Environmental Review process begins
  • November 2025: Scoping hearings complete with more than 500 public comments received
  • Fall/Winter 2026: Final scoping document issued; anticipated release of Draft Environmental Impact Statement and public hearing
Design
  • July 2025: Engineer retained to commence IBX design
  • Spring 2026: Public engagement on design begins
  • Late 2026: Anticipated release of draft corridor design
  • 2027: Continued public engagement on design

About the project

The Interborough Express is a transformative light rail transit project that will connect currently underserved areas of Brooklyn and Queens. It will substantially cut down on travel times between the two boroughs, reduce congestion, and expand economic opportunities for the people who live and work in the surrounding neighborhoods.

The project will be built along the existing, LIRR-owned Bay Ridge Branch and CSX-owned Fremont Secondary, a 14-mile freight line that extends from Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, to Jackson Heights, Queens. It will create a new transit option for close to 900,000 residents of the neighborhoods along the route, along with 260,000 people who work in Brooklyn and Queens. It will connect with up to 17 different subway lines, as well as Long Island Rail Road, with end-to-end travel times anticipated at less than 32 minutes. Daily weekday ridership is estimated at 160,000.  

Using the existing rail infrastructure means the Interborough Express will be built more quickly and efficiently. It will also preserve the Bay Ridge Branch’s use as a freight line, providing an opportunity to connect to the Port Authority’s Cross-Harbor Freight Project.

After extensive planning, analysis, and public engagement, light rail was chosen because it will provide the best service for riders at the best value.

Project benefits

  • A direct public transit option between Brooklyn and Queens
  • Connections with up to 17 subway lines and Long Island Rail Road
  • A faster commute—end-to-end rides are expected to take 32 minutes
  • Expanded access to economic opportunities, essential services, and recreational and cultural resources for currently underserved locations where more than a third of residents are below the federal poverty line

Map of IBX

Public engagement

The MTA will be visiting community boards along the IBX's path in Brooklyn and Queens in 2026 to share project updates, answer questions, and hear feedback. Please check your local community board calendar for up-to-date scheduling information. Additional public engagement opportunities will be posted here throughout the year.

Presentations will be posted in the Documents section of this page as available.

We want to hear from you!

Help us shape the IBX. Take our survey to help inform the design of stations, areas around the stations, and the overall rider experience. 

Or submit a general comment or feedback at IBXoutreach@mtacd.org.

Next steps

The design phase is expected to last about two years (2025-2027). During this phase, we will get a better understanding of the timing of future project phases, including construction. In parallel to the design work, we are also conducting the formal environmental review. A full analysis of potential impacts (e.g., noise, air quality, property) and mitigations will be identified in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, which will be available for comment in fall 2026. There will be additional input opportunities in early 2027, once the draft preliminary design is released.

IBX is still many years away from operation, but the project is steadily moving forward. The exact construction timeline will depend on the design details that are currently being determined and funding availability.