Interborough Express (IBX)

Interborough Express (IBX)

Managing Agency:
MTA-NYC Transit
Location: Bay Ridge Connector + CSX-owned Fremont Secondary rail lines (14-mile freight line that extends from Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, to Jackson Heights, Queens)
Summary Description: The Interborough Express (IBX) is a transformative rapid transit project that would connect currently underserved areas of Brooklyn and Queens.
Status: Pending
- Under public review

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:

  1. Improve transit connections to community job centers
  2. Cost-effectively meet needs of transit and freight systems within the dedicated right-of-way 
  3. Support economic growth in local communities
  4. Preserve freight corridor for current and future needs
  5. Reduce roadway traffic by increasing number of residents riding public transit
  6. Connect to and between subway lines to provide better travel options

Timeline

2023 and beyond

Environmental review process ongoing

2023 and beyond
September 22, 2022

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 ReleaseWatch Meeting

September 22, 2022
May 19, 2022

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 ReleaseWatch Meeting

May 19, 2022
January 2022

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.

January 2022
2020

MTA initiates feasibility study

2020
2017

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.)

2017
2000

First feasibility study for Cross-Harbor Rail Tunnel connecting Bay Ridge Branch to New Jersey

2000
1997

New York & Atlantic Railway takes over freight operations along the line

1997
1924

End of passenger rail service on rail line

1924
1918

New York Connecting Rail completed, linking the Bay Ridge Branch to the mainland via Hell Gate Bridge

1918
1876

Bay Ridge Branch opened as part of New York and Manhattan Beach Railway

1876

Documents

September 22, 2022 Public meeting – Recording

May 19, 2022 Public meeting – Recording

NOTE: This page was last updated on March 15, 2023 and it may be out of date.
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