NYC's First Light Rail: A Game Changer for Brooklyn and Queens
The Interborough Express (IBX), New York City's first light rail system, is moving forward! Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that the project, which will link Brooklyn and Queens, has entered the engineering and design phase. This 14-mile line aims to revolutionize transit between two of NYC's most populated boroughs.
<img src="https://assets1.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/2023/12/13/ba7f5c55-eeaa-468a-b31c-aaa68ac825a2/e8f3d8fb4782eb06085e06af779a4ebd-0-1702468650620.png" alt="Interborough Express rendering">A Vision 30 Years in the Making
The plan, which has been in discussion for over 30 years, will finally become a reality thanks to a $2.75 billion investment. It's projected to reduce travel time between Brooklyn and Queens to just 32 minutes, benefiting over 1 million commuters.
<img src="https://assets3.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2025/08/01/3977ba1f-3865-4c72-9f72-c9915bda9de5/thumbnail/620x349/59bd00236ae34f30cd914a5735fef3ee/keleshian-5p-pkg-hochul-wcbsen43-hi-res-still.jpg" alt="Gov. Hochul announcing the project">Connecting Communities: Sunset Park to Jackson Heights
The IBX will stretch from Sunset Park, Brooklyn to Jackson Heights, Queens, featuring 19 new stations connecting to 17 subway lines. This will be the first new transit stations in Brooklyn since 1948 and Queens since 1988. The MTA is currently developing an underground design for Metropolitan Avenue in Queens to minimize potential delays.
A Brighter Future for Commuters
Locals are enthusiastic about the project, highlighting the current difficulties of traveling between the two boroughs. Once completed, IBX is expected to be the busiest light rail system in the nation, carrying an estimated 48 million riders annually.
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