MTA to Begin Engineering Process for 14 Miles of New Service
IBX Will Provide Direct Connection Between Brooklyn and Queens; Reduce Travel Times by Up to 30 Minutes Each Way
MTA Seeks Bids for Preliminary Engineering and Design with Emphasis on Cost Containment and Schedule
Latest Plan Advances Design of Tunnel Solution Beneath Metropolitan Ave in Middle Village, Queens
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Link to Contract Solicitation Notice
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today released a Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit consultant bids to begin the preliminary engineering phase of the Interborough Express (IBX), which is expected to take approximately two years. This represents a major step in the design of the transformative transit project which will connect communities in Brooklyn and Queens to 17 subway lines, 51 current bus routes, the Long Island Rail Road at the East New York Station, as well as significantly reduce travel times within and between the two boroughs.
"More than 5 million people live in Brooklyn and Queens and many of them want to travel between the two boroughs for jobs, education and all that NYC has to offer,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “We need an easier way to move between the two boroughs, and that is exactly what the IBX delivers.”
“This RFP is a major step toward making the IBX a reality,” said MTA Construction & Development Jamie Torres-Springer. “We look forward to continuing the progress we’ve made to date by advancing the IBX project design to build better, faster, and cheaper.”
“I fought hard to deliver the $15 million federal RAISE grant for the exciting, new Interborough Express because it is both transformative and a smart way for the MTA to make new transit connections between Brooklyn and Queens,” said U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. “Opening bids for the first IBX contract brings us closer to connecting Brooklyn and Queens neighborhoods—that have long lacked access to public transit—to more than a dozen subway lines and the LIRR. This means more jobs, more economic opportunities, a reduction in carbon emissions, and saving riders time traveling between boroughs.”
“The Interborough Express will be a game-changer for Queens — bringing mass transit to communities that have historically lacked it and unlocking economic opportunities for residents on both sides of the Queens-Brooklyn border,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “I’m proud to have been supported such a critical project from its inception and today marks a massive step forward in this vital investment in outerborough public transportation. Thank you to Governor Hochul and the MTA for its steadfast leadership in getting the IBX plan off the ground.”
“The Interborough Express would change the game for Brooklynites – boosting our borough’s economy and bringing our communities closer together,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “I’m glad to see the MTA advancing this transformative transit project to the next stage with this RFP launch. This an opportunity to bring visionary thinking to the table, including by designing for expanded freight capacity as well as passenger service and establishing a dedicated right-of-way underneath the All Faiths Cemetery in Queens.”
To date, the MTA has hosted more than 35 project meetings with elected officials, stakeholders and the public. This includes three virtual and five in-person open house meetings, including the most recent open house in East New York, Brooklyn, on Sept. 16. The in-person open house meetings have been attended by over 500 individuals, and additional public meetings will be announced in the future, including public hearings associated with environmental review process.
Since Governor Hochul announced the beginning of the environmental review phase of the IBX project in 2023, early environmental analyses have begun in anticipation of Federal Transit Administration (FTA) approval to formally begin the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) environmental review process. This Preliminary Engineering will include advancing design and engineering work to reach a 30% design, setting the stage for the issuing and award of future construction contracts.
Design Progress of the IBX
The project has undergone further refinement in the last year to ensure that it will provide the best service for passengers for the best value. Within the neighborhood of Middle Village, Queens, the MTA is advancing design of a tunnel solution beneath Metropolitan Avenue rather than on-street operations, making the proposed line less prone to travel delays due to mixed traffic operations. This would result in a shorter end-to-end travel time and a project that is more resilient with a dedicated right-of-way for rail operation, allowing the MTA to offer faster and more frequent service. Conceptual plans include expansion of the existing tunnel or a new tunnel adjacent to it.
Within the neighborhood of East New York, Brooklyn, the MTA is advancing design of a station location north of Atlantic Avenue within an MTA-controlled site. Locating an IBX station here will facilitate transfers to the and trains at the Broadway Junction station complex, as well as the LIRR East New York Station on Atlantic Avenue, creating further opportunities to move efficiently between IBX and the existing transit network and enhancing street activity.
The MTA has also reduced the total number of bridges along the project corridor that require reconstruction and identified stations where one center platform can be constructed instead of two platforms.
Funding
Thanks to Governor Hochul’s leadership, preliminary engineering will be principally funded through New York State’s 2025 budget, which designated funding specifically for IBX. An additional $15,000,000 was awarded to the MTA by the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT)’s Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant, which will fund a corridor assessment in support of preliminary engineering. USDOT has also provided $1 million to fund innovative finance expert services for the project. Thanks to Congressional Leaders Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and also to Representatives Dan Goldman, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Yvette Clarke for their support of the project.
The Preliminary Engineering contract will be awarded under the MTA’s 2020-2024 Capital Plan. An additional $2.75 billion for further project development and the start of construction is included in the MTA Board-approved 2025-2029 Capital Plan. The total estimated cost of the IBX project is $5.5 billion.
“When completed, the IBX project will transform the lives of millions of New Yorkers and usher in a generational improvement in New York City’s public transit system,” said Representative Dan Goldman. “I was proud to help secure a $15 million RAISE grant to assist the preliminary planning of the IBX, and I'm thrilled to see the MTA move forward to the next stages of this project. I have requested an additional $1 million this fiscal year to further aid the planning of the IBX and will continue working at all levels of government to secure resources for this essential improvement.”
"Brooklynites need a transit system that gets them to all parts of the city quickly, reliably and accessibly. The IBX is a key part of making that happen," said State Senator Andrew Gounardes. "This new transit project will connect communities like Sunset Park and Bay Ridge to neighborhoods across Brooklyn and Queens, giving neighbors easier access to jobs, schools, hospitals and other institutions across the outer boroughs. I'm excited to see this RFP released and look forward to working with the MTA to bring this project to reality.”
"The Interborough Express (IBX) represents a bold step toward a more connected and equitable transit system for Brooklyn and Queens,” said State Senator Roxanne J. Persaud. “This is not just an investment in infrastructure; we are investing in the future of our communities. The IBX will bring our neighborhoods closer together and foster a sustainable and inclusive transit network for all."
“I was proud to pass a State budget that included $52 million for construction of the IBX, a game-changing light rail system that will reimagine transportation in the outer boroughs,” Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar. “Over 1 million New Yorkers who regularly travel between Queens and Brooklyn will have a new blazing fast transit option to connect them to 17 subway lines and the LIRR. The IBX will run through economically disadvantaged communities, uplifting thousands by connecting them to new jobs and economic opportunities. This is a wise investment that will supercharge our City for generations to come.”
"The Interborough Express will revolutionize our city, connecting communities across Brooklyn and Queens to vital transportation networks. We must invest in initiatives that will make New York City a more accessible and equitable place for us all," said Council Member Sandy Nurse. "I'm proud to support efforts to transform our public transit system, ensuring its sustainability for future generations."
“Regional Plan Association is pleased to see the MTA has begun the RFP bid process for preliminary engineering for the Interborough Express (IBX),” said Dr. Sam Bowden Akbari, Director of Communications at RPA. “As the IBX rolls forward, it builds off RPA’s Triboro plan which was first proposed in 1996. The IBX is a crucial project for advancing New York’s transportation equity, economic development, and climate goals, as the planned route will connect many of the city’s car-dependent transit deserts with 17 subway lines and the Long Island Rail Road. We’re excited to see this vital project moving forward.”