Next Step for Brooklyn-Queens Light-Rail Line
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has announced the next step for the proposed light-rail transit line between Brooklyn and Queens, which will feature 19 stops and connect to 17 subway lines and the Long Island Rail Road.
Preliminary Design Work to Begin
MTA officials have announced that the next step is preliminary design work, which is expected to last two years while the federal environmental review phase continues. The MTA is looking at potentially using an existing tunnel beneath a Queens cemetery instead of running street-level service in Middle Village.
Project Details
The Interborough Express, as it is called, will cover 14 miles of existing freight tracks and is expected to serve 100,000 riders. The project’s price tag is estimated at $5.5 billion, with $2.75 billion allocated for the IBX as part of the MTA’s next five-year spending program. The project is expected to be fully funded by the state budget and a federal Transportation Department grant.
Benefits of the Project
The MTA estimates that the project will bring several benefits, including:
- A 40-minute end-to-end trip between Queens and Brooklyn
- Reduced commute times between the two boroughs
- The ability to "give people back time they don’t have to waste going out of their way"
Reactions from Officials and Transit Advocates
MTA CEO Janno Lieber emphasized the importance of the project, saying, "We’re taking an underutilized train line, basically gets one freight train a day, and turning it into something which is transformative for so many New Yorkers."
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards also expressed support for the project, saying, "Queens is certainly ready for the IBX. Not only do we want it, but we need it."
However, some transit advocates have expressed concerns about the project’s funding, with Danny Pearlstein, policy director for Riders Alliance, stating, "New Yorkers need reliable trains and accessible stations more than our leaders deserve flashy groundbreakings and shiny ribbon cuttings."
Conclusion
The Interborough Express is a significant step towards connecting Brooklyn and Queens with a reliable and efficient public transportation system. While there are concerns about funding, the project’s potential benefits make it an important step forward for the MTA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Interborough Express?
A: The Interborough Express is a proposed light-rail transit line between Brooklyn and Queens, featuring 19 stops and connecting to 17 subway lines and the Long Island Rail Road.
Q: What is the estimated cost of the project?
A: The estimated cost of the project is $5.5 billion, with $2.75 billion allocated for the IBX as part of the MTA’s next five-year spending program.
Q: When is the project expected to be completed?
A: The project is expected to take around five years to complete, with the preliminary design phase lasting two years and the federal environmental review phase already underway.
