If you live in Brooklyn or Queens — or commute between the two — you’ve probably heard bits and pieces about the Interborough Express. It’s one of those massive MTA projects that’s been in talks for years, but now it finally feels like it’s picking up steam.
Having lived in New York long enough, I’ve learned to take big transit promises with a grain of salt — but this project? It actually feels like it could deliver.
So here’s a breakdown of what we know so far about the Interborough Express (IBX) — including the route, timeline and the stations that could be coming to your neighborhood.
What Is the Interborough Express?
The Interborough Express is a proposed light rail line that’ll stretch 14 miles from Bay Ridge in Brooklyn all the way to Jackson Heights in Queens. What’s unique is that it won’t pass through Manhattan — and that’s kind of the point. It’s designed to connect outer-borough neighborhoods directly, making life easier for thousands of commuters.
Right now, traveling from, say, Midwood to Bushwick or Jackson Heights to Sunset Park usually means going through Manhattan or hopping on multiple subway lines. The IBX is meant to cut down travel times, reduce transfers and create a smoother, quicker ride.
The Interborough Express Route: From Bay Ridge, Brooklyn to Jackson Heights, Queens
According to the MTA’s feasibility study, the new light rail is projected to serve approximately weekday 88,000 riders.
The IBX will use an existing freight rail corridor — mostly the Bay Ridge Branch and Fremont Secondary Line — which cuts diagonally across Brooklyn and Queens. That means the MTA doesn’t need to carve out a new path, which helps keep construction costs (somewhat) in check.
Right now, the proposed route starts in Bay Ridge near the Brooklyn Army Terminal, and ends in Jackson Heights, connecting with the busy Roosevelt Avenue station.
Here are a few major spots the line will pass through:
- Sunset Park
- Borough Park
- Midwood
- Flatbush
- East New York
- Bushwick
- Ridgewood
- Middle Village
- Maspeth
- Elmhurst
- Jackson Heights
In total, it’ll connect up to 17 existing subway lines and the Long Island Rail Road, making it a massive connector for neighborhoods that have often felt cut off.
Interborough Express Timeline: When Will It Actually Happen?
Let’s be honest — NYC transit timelines can be… optimistic. But here’s where things stand now.
- Feasibility studies started back in 2020.
- By 2022, the project had gotten support from Governor Hochul and moved into the environmental review phase.
- In 2023 and 2024, the MTA held community open houses and town halls.
- As of 2025, the preliminary design work is underway.
- Construction is set to begin sometime after 2026, with the MTA aiming to complete the project by 2027.
Of course, we all know how these things go. Delays are possible. But compared to other transit projects, the IBX feels surprisingly real — especially since the MTA has already allocated $2.75 billion for it in the 2025–2029 Capital Plan. That’s half the estimated cost of the whole project, which is around $5.5 billion.
And fun fact: part of the funding is expected to come from NYC’s upcoming congestion pricing program.
Interborough Express Stations: Where Will It Stop?
As of now, there are about 19 preliminary stations proposed along the route. These include:
- Roosevelt Avenue
- Grand Avenue
- Eliot Avenue
- Metropolitan Avenue
- Myrtle Avenue
- Wilson Avenue
- Atlantic Avenue
- Sutter Avenue
- Livonia Avenue
- Linden Boulevard
- Remsen Avenue
- Utica Avenue
- Flatbush Avenue–Nostrand Avenue
- East 16 Street
- McDonald Avenue
- New Utrecht Avenue
- 8 Avenue
- 4 Avenue
- Brooklyn Army Terminal
What’s cool is that the IBX will link neighborhoods that don’t currently have direct subway connections. You could easily go from East New York to Flatbush or Ridgewood to Sunset Park without detouring through Union Square or Times Square.
The plan also avoids a controversial street-running segment near All Faiths Cemetery in Queens. Originally, the train was supposed to run along Metropolitan Avenue, which raised concerns about slowdowns and congestion. But now, the MTA says they’ll dig a tunnel underneath the cemetery — a smarter, more community-friendly solution.
Why Light Rail?
The MTA had three options: light rail, heavy rail or bus rapid transit. In 2023, they officially chose light rail, and here’s why:
- It’s faster to build
- It works well with the existing freight tracks.
- Off-the-shelf rail cars can be used
- It’s cheaper overall.
Trains will run every 5 minutes during peak hours and 10 minutes during off-peak, with separate tracks for freight so passenger trains don’t get delayed.
The projected travel time from one end to the other? About 40 minutes — pretty solid for 14 miles across two boroughs.
What Could This Mean for New Yorkers?
Besides a faster commute, the IBX could open up a lot of opportunities. A report in June 2025 from the New York Building Congress estimated that 70,000 to 100,000 new housing units could be built along the line over the next decade — depending on how neighborhoods get rezoned.
More homes, better access to jobs and easier commutes? That’s the kind of transit investment NYC desperately needs.
Final Thoughts
As someone who loves this city and follows its every twist and turn, I can honestly say the Interborough Express feels like one of the more exciting things on the horizon. It’s practical. It connects real communities. And it doesn’t require digging up Manhattan (for once).
Of course, it’s still early. A lot could change. But the IBX is worth watching — and I’ll be keeping track of every update right here on Nova Cadeau.
Whether you live along the proposed route or just dream of shorter train rides, this project could shape the way New Yorkers move for generations to come.
Stay tuned to Nova Cadeau for the latest on NYC transit, neighborhood changes, and everything happening across the five boroughs
