New York: MTA publishes Interborough Express feasibility study

MTA publishes Interborough Express feasibility study
Jan. 21, 2022

Next steps include a 20-year needs assessment, selection of a preferred alternative and environmental reviews.
Mischa Wanek-Libman




The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul took a small but important step to progress the Interborough Express (IBX) project forward with the release of a year-long feasibility study.

The proposed project, included in Gov. Hochul’s 2022 State of the State address, would utilize an existing rail right-of-way to provide a passenger rail connection for residents in Brooklyn and Queens.

The study found it is feasible to use the existing corridor for shared use and demand exists with daily ridership projections of between 74,000 and 85,000 passengers.

The rail corridor currently hosts freight traffic and has not had passenger rail traffic on it since 1924. The IBX proposal would involve 14 miles of the Bay Ridge Branch and the Fremont Secondary to provide the needed transit connection while controlling costs associated with new transit infrastructure. The project has “the potential to be transformative, tangibly improving the daily lives of tens of thousands of New Yorkers” by providing connections to up to 17 subway lines and the Long Island Rail Road, as well as reducing travel times within and between the two boroughs.

“Infrastructure is all about connection, and with the Interborough Express, we can connect people to their family and friends while also improving their quality of life,” Gov. Hochul said. “The Interborough Express will connect Brooklyn and Queens, not only shaving time off commutes but also making it easier to connect to subway lines across the route. With the completion of the feasibility study, we can move forward to the next phase of this project and bring us one step closer to making the Interborough Express a reality for New Yorkers.” .................(more)

https://www.masstransitmag.com/rail/infrastructure/article/21253929/mta-publishes-interborough-express-feasibility-study