MTA advances $5.5B interborough express to connect Brooklyn and Queens
Subscribe to our free newsletter today to keep up to date with the latest construction news.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has taken a major step toward expanding New York City’s rail network with the launch of the Interborough Express, a light rail project that will convert an underused freight line into a commuter link between Brooklyn and Queens. The line will stretch 14 miles, create 19 new stations, and allow end-to-end travel in about 32 minutes. It will connect with 17 subway lines, 50 bus routes, and two Long Island Rail Road stations, providing residents in transit-scarce neighborhoods with faster access across the boroughs.
Ridership forecasts suggest the Interborough Express could serve as many as 160,000 riders per day, a figure that would surpass every existing light rail system in the United States. With an estimated $5.5 billion project cost, the scope makes it one of the most significant transit undertakings in New York in decades.
Funding, politics, and urgency
The vision for the Interborough Express originated with the Regional Plan Association in the 1990s, but momentum stalled for years. Transit planning in New York traditionally focused on moving workers in and out of Manhattan, not between outer boroughs. As Brooklyn and Queens have grown, so too has demand for stronger cross-borough links. Many of the neighborhoods along the proposed route are considered transit deserts, home to residents with few reliable commuting options. Nearly half of the 900,000 people who live within a half-mile of the line do not own cars, underscoring the urgency of new alternatives.
Political leadership has also shifted. Gov. Kathy Hochul has made expanding rail access a priority, securing $2.75 billion in capital funding for the Interborough Express in the 2025-29 plan. This represents half of the project’s estimated cost, with additional sources expected to fill the remainder. Hochul’s support has aligned with public calls for equity-focused transit planning, making the project one of the state’s flagship infrastructure initiatives.
Design contract award to Jacobs and HDR
The most recent milestone came in July, when the MTA awarded Jacobs Civil Consultants Inc. and HDR a $166 million design-build contract. The firms were chosen from six bids based on their experience with similar projects and their approach to design coordination and sequencing. According to the MTA, the partnership showed a strong understanding of the corridor’s engineering constraints and the logistical challenges of reusing freight infrastructure for passenger service.
The contract covers early design and bridging documents for the rail line, setting up two subsequent construction phases. An option allows the first stage of the contract to be split further for an additional $8.6 million, reflecting the project’s complexity.
Future phases and development timeline
The first construction phase will prepare the existing freight corridor for transit operations. Tasks will include bridge and tunnel rehabilitation, utility relocation, drainage work, and environmental remediation. Once these foundational elements are complete, the second phase will focus on installing the passenger rail system itself, including track installation, traction power facilities, and the construction of stations.
Jacobs and HDR are expected to complete design and engineering work within 24 months. Based on the current timeline, the Interborough Express could enter service in the early 2030s. The project’s phasing approach reflects both the engineering challenges of converting a freight line and the fiscal realities of coordinating multi-billion-dollar capital works across New York City.
Transformative impact on ridership, equity, and sustainability
The Interborough Express has been framed as both a mobility project and an equity initiative. By serving neighborhoods where existing subway lines are either distant or overcrowded, the light rail corridor could reshape commuting patterns for hundreds of thousands of residents. The projected daily ridership of 160,000 passengers translates into about 48 million annual trips, representing one of the largest mode shifts in the country.
Equally significant are the expected time savings. Current cross-borough commutes between parts of Brooklyn and Queens can take more than an hour by subway and bus. The Interborough Express is designed to cut those journeys in half, freeing up commuting time and improving access to jobs, schools, and healthcare.
Environmental benefits are another priority. By reducing reliance on cars and cutting bus congestion, the project is expected to lower emissions and support citywide climate goals.
While the Interborough Express is advancing more rapidly than ever before, several challenges remain. The MTA has not yet released a definitive completion date, and costs could rise given the project’s scale. Neighborhood integration will also be closely watched, with advocacy groups pushing for station design that supports local businesses and preserves green space.
The Regional Plan Association, which first championed the project, continues to stress the importance of ensuring access across trenched portions of the line so communities are not divided. With Jacobs and HDR now advancing the design, the coming two years will determine how effectively these priorities are reflected in the final plans.