On Sept. 9, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the MTA has made progress on its design and environmental review phase of the Interborough Express between Brooklyn and Queens.
The IBX, announced last August, will offer transit between historically underserved communities in Brooklyn and Queens, according to a press release from the governor's office. The project is planned to shorten travel times for more than 900,000 residents and an estimated 160,000 daily riders, connecting 17 subway lines, 51 current bus routes and the Long Island Railroad.
Not only is the IBX plan moving forward, but existing stations are also being prioritized for accessibility upgrades. The MTA has outlined projects for the current final four stations which are non-accessible. Stations include Junius St., estimated to be complete by the end of 2026, Broadway Junction, estimated to be completed by the end of 2027 and Ave. I-F, estimated to be completed by early 2028.
“For too many commuters, traveling between New York’s two largest boroughs can be lengthy, inconvenient and inaccessible,” said Hochul. “That’s why the IBX promises to change everything for Brooklyn and Queens, and we aren’t wasting any time advancing this transformational project."
“For decades, people have been dreaming of transit connections between Brooklyn and Queens,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “We are finally making that a reality with the IBX. And with universal accessibility, everyone is going to benefit.”
New renderings reveal designs for the IBX and its stations. Hochul also announced that the MTA will release a draft of its environmental impact in the fourth quarter of this year, which will be followed by a series of public meetings where Brooklyn and Queens residents can share their thoughts on the project.
The current project phase is funded through $45 million allotted in the FY 2026 state budget and the MTA 2025-2029 Capital Plan. The total cost of the IBX project is projected to be $5.5 billion.
