Governor Hochul Announces Interborough Express Project Design and Environmental Review Milestones

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has made progress on the design and environmental review phase of the Interborough Express (IBX), a transformational new light rail connection between Brooklyn and Queens. To ensure complete accessibility along the entire IBX, the MTA is prioritizing significant accessibility projects at the final four non-accessible subway stations that will connect to the Interborough Express (IBX). Once complete, these upgrades will result in each of the IBX's 18 stations being fully accessible, with connections to 17 subway lines and the Long Island Rail Road, providing accessible options at all transfer points. The IBX, currently in the design and engineering phase that Governor Hochul launched last August will offer a first-of-its-kind transit connection to historically underserved communities in Brooklyn and Queens, significantly shortening travel times for more than 900,000 residents and a projected 160,000 daily riders.

"For too many commuters, traveling between New York's two largest boroughs can be lengthy, inconvenient and inaccessible - that's why the IBX promises to change everything for Brooklyn and Queens, and we aren't wasting any time advancing this transformational project," Governor Hochul said. "By pushing forward on design and accelerating accessibility upgrades at future subway connections, my administration is bringing all 900,000 New Yorkers who live near planned IBX line one stop closer to reduced travel times and an even more reliable public transit experience."

The MTA is in process of delivering full ADA accessibility to three subway stations that will connect to the IBX route prior to the IBX opening. These stations are:

Broadway Junction A/C/J/Z/L: Funded through the MTA's 2020-24 Capital Plan

• Estimated to be completed by the end of 2027

Junius St - 3 ADA and new connection to Livonia - L: Funded through the MTA's 2020-2024 Capital Plan

• Estimated to be completed by the end of 2026

Ave I - F: Funded through the MTA's 2020-2024 Capital Plan

• Estimated to be completed by early 2028

Accessibility at a fourth station, Wilson Ave L, has been expedited within the 2025-29 Capital Plan. A contract for the accessibility work at the station will be awarded by mid-2027. Wilson Ave will be the final IBX-subway transfer station to receive accessibility improvements.

In addition, all 18 new IBX stations will be designed with full accessibility, using universal design principles to maximize access and functionality for all riders. IBX stations will provide clear sightlines, tactile floor tiles leading to wide fare gates, pass-through elevators with wider cabs, level boarding throughout the platform, enhanced station lighting, digital signage along with audio announcements and wayfinding signage positioned for optimal viewing and clear delivery of information.

MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said, "For decades, people have been dreaming of transit connections between Brooklyn and Queens. Under Governor Hochul's leadership, we are finally making that a reality with the IBX. And with universal accessibility, everyone is going to benefit."

MTA Construction & Development President Jamie Torres-Springer said, "The Interborough Express will transform travel in Brooklyn and Queens, cutting commute times for more than 160,000 daily riders. From day one, we're building accessibility into every aspect of the project-because every rider should be able to take full advantage of this new way to move across the boroughs."

MTA Chief Accessibility Officer Quemuel Arroyo said, "By building the IBX as a fully accessible rail system, riders will be able to travel between Brooklyn and Queens faster than ever before. We're working with community partners throughout the design process to ensure their voices are heard and needs are met."

Assemblymember Claire Valdez said, "Mass transit should be the great equalizer: it should be affordable, reliable, and accessible. I'm thrilled that the long-awaited IBX is not only moving forward, but that existing stations are being prioritized for accessibility upgrades. The IBX is a transformative investment in public transit and in every working New Yorker's ability to get where they need to go. I'm thrilled that it will be designed for everyone."

Governor Hochul also announced that the MTA will release the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the IBX ahead of schedule in Q4 of this year. The release of the DEIS will reflect the progress being made by the IBX project team and be a significant milestone in the development of the $5.5 billion project to connect Brooklyn and Queens.

The release of the DEIS will be followed by a series of public meetings where Brooklyn and Queens residents will be able to share their thoughts on the IBX. There have been nearly 30 pop-up events held this summer with more than 7,000 local community member engagements, and approximately 140 events hosted across the entirety of the project. In the spring, the project team met with all 14 community boards that line the IBX corridor and hosted a series of public workshops to solicit input on the design featuring interactive activities from more than 425 participants and 6,000 feedback responses submitted.

About the Interborough Express (IBX)

The IBX will connect communities in Brooklyn and Queens to 17 subway lines, 51 current bus routes, the Long Island Rail Road, as well as significantly reduce travel times within and between the two boroughs. More than 160,000 riders are expected to use the line each weekday - more riders than any light rail system currently operating in the United States today. In October of 2025, the MTA awarded a contract to begin the design phase of the IBX, which is expected to take approximately two years.

The IBX will be the first new end-to-end rapid transit built entirely within New York City since the IND Crosstown Line, now called the G, which fully opened in 1937. IBX stations in Queens will be the first new transit stations built since the Archer Avenue extension of the E, J, and Z lines to Jamaica in 1988.

Funding the IBX

The current project design phase is funded mainly through $45 million secured by Governor Hochul in New York's FY 2026 state budget and the MTA's 2025-29 Capital Plan. The total estimated cost of the IBX project is $5.5 billion. $2.75 billion in funding for the project was approved by Governor Hochul in the MTA's 2025-29 Capital Plan.