Gov. Hochul, MTA unveil report for proposed Interborough Express

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Chair and CEO Janno Lieber yesterday released a feasibility report for the proposed Interborough Express, which would serve 80,000 daily riders and connect to up to 17 subway lines.

The year-long study confirmed the line could accommodate passenger traffic alongside existing freight-rail traffic with an annual ridership estimate of 2.5 million. Other study results said there is significant demand and that possible options for modes of transit include light and heavy rail, Hochul and MTA officials said in a press release.

The next step is for MTA to conduct environmental review processes on state and federal levels as well as gather input from the public, elected officials and other key stakeholders for the express line.

The line would use the existing right of way of the Bay Ridge Branch, a freight line that runs through Brooklyn and Queens, connecting many nearby neighborhoods. New connections for communities lacking transit access, as well as some new connections to Manhattan, will be part of the project. Travel time between Brooklyn and Queens could be reduced by up to 30 minutes each way, officials added.

Proposed service would operate at up to five-minute headways during peak period and up to 10-minute headways during off-peak periods. The corridor would be 14 miles. The number and locations of stations would be determined after the environmental review.