Interborough Express

The Interborough Express is a transformative rapid transit project that will connect currently underserved areas of Brooklyn and Queens. It will substantially cut down on travel times between the two boroughs, reduce congestion, and expand economic opportunities for the people who live and work in the surrounding neighborhoods. 

The project would be built along the existing, LIRR-owned Bay Ridge Branch and CSX-owned Fremont Secondary, a 14-mile freight line that extends from Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, to Jackson Heights, Queens. It would create a new transit option for close to 900,000 residents of the neighborhoods along the route, along with 260,000 people who work in Brooklyn and Queens. It would connect with up to 17 different subway lines, as well as Long Island Rail Road, with end-to-end travel times anticipated at less than 40 minutes. Daily weekday ridership is estimated at 115,000.   

Using the existing rail infrastructure means the Interborough Express could be built more quickly and efficiently. It would also preserve the Bay Ridge Branch’s use as a freight line, providing an opportunity to connect to the Port Authority’s Cross-Harbor Freight Project. 

After extensive planning, analysis, and public engagement, Light Rail was chosen because it will provide the best service for riders at the best value. It also announced a preliminary list of stations and advanced other important planning and engineering analysis of the project. The formal environmental review process is anticipated to begin in winter 2023.

• Statement of MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber on Governor Hochul’s Commitment to Major Transit Projects in State of the State Address
• Governor Hochul Announces Plans to Expand Major Transit Projects and Improve Roadway Safety
• Governor Hochul Announces MTA To Hold First In-Person Public Town Hall Meetings On Interborough Express
• Interborough Express Town Hall August 16, 2023
• Interborough Express Town Hall September 22, 2022
• Interborough Express Town Hall May 19, 2022
• Governor Hochul Releases Feasibility Report for the Interborough Express
• Governor Hochul Announces Plans to Move Forward With Major New Expansion of Transit Service in Brooklyn and Queens: The Interborough Express

The MTA has held multiple in-person open houses to allow members of the public to learn more about the environmental review process, how to stay involved, and how to share feedback. You can review the presentation and associated informational boards from the open houses and share your feedback via a digital engagement tool.