Adam RollinsThe design phase for New York City’s $5.5 billion Interborough Express (IBX) line has begun, kicking off a historic project connecting underserved communities in two boroughs to key public transit routes. Construction is expected to begin within the next four years, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) 2025-2029 capital plan.
The 14-mile line will connect NYC’s boroughs, providing communities with reliable, direct light rail service. The completed rail will reduce travel times between Brooklyn and Queens, creating 19 stations and providing access to 17 subway lines, 50 bus routes and the Long Island Rail Road.
The IBX will be the first end-to-end rapid transit built exclusively in city limits since 1937. The project will be constructed across two phases, with the first devoted to preparing the corridor for the line’s construction. This process will involve demolishing existing structures and rehabilitating bridges. As part of future work, the MTA will build above- and under-grade bridges, tunnel structures and retaining walls. In addition, the vision calls for freight structure repositioning, environmental concern remediation, utility relocation and streetwork.
The second phase will cover construction of the rail line. The light rail system will be installed, beginning with passenger trackwork, stations, a light rail vehicle storage yard and an operations center. The MTA will buy rolling stock, install traction power, signals and related systems and test the line.
The selection of designers and architects will allow the authority to kick off the project in earnest. The design phase is the last major milestone before construction can begin. Once completed, the IBX will run along an existing freight line and provide an affordable transit option for 900,000 residents. The full end-to-end run time for the IBX is estimated at 32 minutes.
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