Direct Bay Ridge to Queens Train Moves Closer to Reality

By Y.M. Lowy

A direct train line from Brooklyn to Queens, known as the Interborough Express, is one step closer to happening. The MTA board approved a $166 million design contract, moving the long-discussed project into its next phase.

The line would stretch 14 miles from Bay Ridge to central Queens, using an existing freight rail line that currently sees just one or two trains a day. The plan is to turn it into a light-rail route that could serve about 200,000 daily riders and connect to 17 subway lines without going through Manhattan.

The full trip would take around 40 minutes and is expected to improve access for neighborhoods with limited train service.

The total cost of the project is expected to be around $5.5 billion and will be covered through the MTA’s 2025–2029 capital plan.