New York Gov. Kathy Hochul plans to direct the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to begin the environmental review process for the Interborough Express.
An environmental review process is the first step in a major infrastructure project.
The Interborough Express would connect communities in Brooklyn and Queens to as many as 17 subway lines and the Long Island Rail Road using the existing right of way of the Bay Ridge Branch, a freight rail line that runs through Brooklyn and Queens.
It is estimated 900,000 residents and 260,000 jobs are along the corridor. In the next 25 years, the area is expected to grow by at least 41,000 people and 15,000 jobs.
More than 100,000 commuters make daily trips within or across Brooklyn and Queens. Travel is often slow because existing subway lines are oriented toward Manhattan. Once the project is completed, it is expected to reduce the travel time by less than 40 minutes.
“This project would smartly repurpose existing infrastructure to add mass transit and create access to jobs, education, and opportunity for so many residents of Queens and Brooklyn,” Janno Lieber, MTA acting chairperson and CEO, said. “I applaud Gov. Hochul’s leadership, and we are enthusiastic to work with her and federal and state partners to advance the Interborough concept.”