Interborough Express Inches Closer, Engineering Phase Will Begin

NEW YORK CITY — The Interborough Express (IBX), a 14-mile stretch of rail line that would further connect Brooklyn and Queens, is one step closer to becoming a reality, officials said Tuesday.

At a press conference, the MTA announced they are seeking bids to begin the preliminary engineering phase of the Interborough Express (IBX), which is expected to take approximately two years.

Also announced Tuesday was the design of a tunnel solution beneath Metropolitan Avenue within the neighborhood of Middle Village, instead of a light rail line.

The tunnel solution would result in shorter end-to-end travel time and allow for faster and more frequent service, officials said.

Conceptual plans include expansion of an existing tunnel or a new tunnel adjacent to it.

In addition, the MTA is advancing design of a station location north of Atlantic Avenue within an MTA-controlled site.

An IBX station would facilitate transfers for a number of train lines at the Broadway Junction station, as well as the LIRR East New York Station on Atlantic Avenue, officials said.

"More than 5 million people live in Brooklyn and Queens and many of them want to travel between the two boroughs for jobs, education and all that NYC has to offer,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “We need an easier way to move between the two boroughs, and that is exactly what the IBX delivers.”

The MTA’s 2025—2029 capital budget has set aside $2.75 billion for IBX.

Preliminary engineering will be funded through the state’s 2025 budget. An additional $15 million was awarded to the MTA by the United States Department of Transportation.

“This [prospal] is a major step toward making the IBX a reality,” said MTA Construction & Development Jamie Torres-Springer. “We look forward to continuing the progress we’ve made to date by advancing the IBX project design to build better, faster, and cheaper.”

The IBX will connect communities in Brooklyn and Queens to 17 subway lines, 51 current bus routes and the Long Island Rail Road.