Governor Hochul Visits Boro Park to Announce Interborough Express Enters Active Phase

By Y.M. Lowy

Governor Kathy Hochul visited Boro Park on Friday morning, standing in front of a rail car at the old 61st Street and 14th Avenue railroad tracks, to announce significant progress for the Interborough Express project (IBX). The Governor arrived in Boro Park by taking the D train, boarding at the Atlantic Avenue station.

She shared that the engineering and design phase for the Interborough Express has officially begun. This marks a major step forward in the project that aims to connect Brooklyn and Queens with a new light rail line.

On Wednesday, the MTA Board approved a $166 million contract and selected a team to lead the design and engineering. Governor Hochul, who previously secured $2.75 billion for the project in the 2025-2029 MTA Capital Plan, promised to see it through.

The Interborough Express will serve nearly 900,000 residents and 260,000 workers along the route. It will stretch 14 miles, create 19 new stations, and link 17 subway lines all without going through Manhattan. Travel time from end to end is expected to be just 32 minutes.

“Building the Interborough Express will transform New York, connecting communities like never before, shortening commutes and unleashing the full potential of Brooklyn and Queens,” Governor Hochul said. “The IBX is the sort of project that future generations will describe as a no-brainer, and thanks to funding we secured for the MTA's Capital Plan, we’re not just talking about it – we’re getting it done.”