Interborough Express (IBX)
Summary
The Interborough Express is a transformative rapid transit project that would connect currently underserved areas of Brooklyn and Queens. It would substantially reduce travel time between the two boroughs, reduce congestion, and expand economic opportunities for people who work in the surrounding neighborhoods.
The project would be built along the existing Bay Ridge Connect and CSX-owned Fremont Secondary, a 14-mile freight line extending from Bay Ridge Brooklyn to Jackson Heights, Queens. It would create new transit options for nearly 900,000 residents along the route and 260,000 people who work in Brooklyn and Queens. It would connect with up to 17 different subway lines and the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), providing service to underserved locations where more than one third of residents live below the federal poverty line. It would bring much-needed transit service to underserved areas like East Flatbush, Maspeth, and Canarsie. The IBX could help reduce car commutes while redirecting outer borough trips from overburdened Manhattan-bound subway lines. The project is guided by six key needs:
- Improve transit connections to community job centers
- Cost-effectively meet needs of transit and freight systems within the dedicated right-of-way
- Support economic growth in local communities
- Preserve freight corridor for current and future needs
- Reduce roadway traffic by increasing number of residents riding public transit
- Connect to and between subway lines to provide better travel options
IBX Update Presentations – Fall 2023
Review and Update on Project Status – March 26, 2024
MTA presented a review on the status of the Interborough Express at CB14’s Transportation Committee Meeting on March 26, 2024. Watch the update below.
The MTA is still collecting feedback, which will inform the Proposed Final Plan, the next version of the plan.
Timeline
IBX Community Council meeting
Environmental review process ongoing
IBX Community Council meeting
Composed by representatives of community boards, elected officials, community-based organizations, advocacy groups, and housing and health organizations, the Community Council will meet quarterly to review and discuss to project updates and provide feedback received from the community.
Third town hall
MTA held a third virtual public meeting on IBX project updates.
Watch Meeting
Planning study complete
The MTA announced the completion of the Planning Study, selecting Light Rail as the mode and advancing transit planning and engineering analysis.
Second town hall
MTA held a second virtual public meeting on plans for IBX. This town hall provided an update on the planning process and factors under consideration. Press Release • Watch Meeting
First town hall
MTA held a virtual public meeting on plans for Interborough Express. Attendees saw an overview of the project and were invited to ask questions. Press Release • Watch Meeting
Environmental review and interim report
Gov Kathy Hochul directed the MTA to begin the environmental review process for the Interborough Express and to identify the best mode of transit for the project (heavy rail, light rail, or bus rapid transit). Interim Report released.
MTA initiates feasibility study
RPA’s Four Regional Plan
The Regional Plan Association’s (RPA’s) Four Regional Plan envisions the Bay Ridge Branch as part of its flagship Triboro RX subway line, connecting Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. (Current IBX study doesn’t propose extending IBX to Bronx due to lack of capacity across Hell Gate Bridge.)
First feasibility study for Cross-Harbor Rail Tunnel connecting Bay Ridge Branch to New Jersey
New York & Atlantic Railway takes over freight operations along the line
End of passenger rail service on rail line
New York Connecting Rail completed, linking the Bay Ridge Branch to the mainland via Hell Gate Bridge
Bay Ridge Branch opened as part of New York and Manhattan Beach Railway
Documents
August 13, 2023 Town Hall Public meeting – Recording
September 22, 2022 Town Hall Public meeting – Recording
May 19, 2022 Town Hall public meeting – Recording
January 2022 Interim Report
