Finally, the project is making progress.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Friday that the long-awaited light rail connection between Brooklyn and Queens has entered a more serious developmental phase. However, completion is still projected for the 2030s.
Hochul expressed her enthusiasm during a recent event near the old railroad line, which is set to become the Interborough Express (IBX), marking the transition into the design stage for the estimated $5.5 billion initiative.
“We’re transforming these old freight tracks into something incredible,” she exclaimed. “A clean, fast, 14-mile light rail line connecting Brooklyn and Queens in a way we’ve never seen before.”
She also noted that a trip end-to-end on this line would take just 32 minutes.
“Think about it—riders could save 30 minutes each way. If you commute round-trip, that adds up to an hour of your life,” she remarked.
Discussions about improving rail services in Brooklyn have been ongoing for nearly three decades. However, it wasn’t until 2022 that significant progress happened when Hochul declared that underutilized freight lines would be repurposed for the IBX.
The proposed line will feature 19 stations and connect with 17 subway lines, 50 bus routes, and two Long Island Rail Road hubs from Sunset Park in Brooklyn through to Jackson Heights in Queens.
This project marks the first fully built end-to-end rapid transit line in the city since the G-Train’s establishment in 1937. It also represents New York City’s inaugural light rail line.
Recent drone footage and images released by MTA officials showcased the planned routes, highlighting areas along the Bayridge branch and the CSX-owned Railway Line Fremont Secondary.
The route will traverse through neglected rail corridors, featuring several bridges and tunnels that may present design difficulties.
Despite Hochul’s substantial commitment of $2.75 billion, serious engineering and design efforts didn’t begin until the MTA board selected Jacobs and HDR for a $166 million contract earlier this week.
“Thanks to this investment, there’s plenty of planning underway—signals at stations, vehicles, and we can start actual construction soon,” Hochul stated.
The design phase is the final step before construction kicks off, according to officials.
The project is anticipated to wrap up in the 2030s, with Hochul promising a smoother travel experience for New Yorkers.
“Right now, if you’re in the outer borough and want to visit your mother in Queens or Brooklyn, you often have to make a trip to Manhattan first,” she added.
