Interborough Express project advances with accelerated timeline and housing goals

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is advancing the Interborough Express (IBX), a light rail project designed to connect Brooklyn and Queens. The agency has accelerated its timeline, with the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) now expected to be published in the final quarter of 2026.

Key transfer stations, including Junius Street, Broadway Junction, 1st Avenue, and Wilson Avenue, are slated for accessibility upgrades. For instance, the Junius Street Station is undergoing renovations to include platform-leveling and new elevators, with completion expected by late 2026.

Governor Kathy Hochul has highlighted the project's potential for transit-oriented development, suggesting the IBX could support the creation of over 60,000 new housing units. However, the project faces a significant funding gap, requiring an estimated $2.75 billion to reach its total $5.5 billion budget. MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber noted that the project is unlikely to be completed for at least another five years, and officials are exploring various funding alternatives, including the possibility of a land value tax to capture the increased property values near new transit corridors.