# NEW YORK I Interborough Express (IBX) **URL:** \ **Category:** Parks & Infrastructure\ **Created:** [December 22, 2014, 1:46pm UTC](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/new-york-i-interborough-express-ibx/1344 "2014-12-22T13:46:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Aviemore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/779978/32.png) [@Aviemore](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/u/Aviemore)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 1:46pm UTC](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/new-york-i-interborough-express-ibx/1344/1 "2014-12-22T13:46:24Z")
## [The surprising return of the three-borough ‘X line’ subway](http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/politics/2012/04/5772951/surprising-return-three-borough-x-line-subway) By Dana Rubinstein 10:08 a.m. | Apr. 25, 2012 [![](http://www.capitalnewyork.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/big_article_pic/files/a-TriboroRX.jpg) ](http://www.capitalnewyork.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/big_article_pic/files/a-TriboroRX.jpg) > To the surprise of the idea’s originators, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer earlier this month unearthed a dusty old proposal for a new subway line that would serve the outer boroughs. > “The X Line would connect all but three subway lines in the city and join Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx, which no other line does today,” said Stringer, speaking to a room full of New York establishment types at a breakfast hosted by the Association for a Better New York. > “ **Here’s why it’s not a pipe dream: The line is built entirely along existing rights of way,” said Stringer. “That means no tunneling, which is the biggest hurdle in this day and age to building new subways**.” > Stringer’s championing of the X line took some transportation advocates (pleasantly) aback. > …The idea goes something like this. > There are, for the most part, existing freight tracks running from Bay Ridge up through Queens and across the Hell Gate Bridge into the Bronx. Freight traffic on those rails is light. And there is, theoretically, enough space alongside them to accommodate some form of commuter rail. > “ **It doesn’t have to be a subway type car,” said Zupan. “It could be somewhat smaller, but still operate as a train with multiple cars**.” > The train would run above ground and intersect with nearly every subway line in the city, avoiding Manhattan altogether. ---
**Author:** ![MrVenaCava](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.newyorkyimby.com/mrvenacava/32/1526_2.png) [@MrVenaCava](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/u/MrVenaCava)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 10:16pm UTC](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/new-york-i-interborough-express-ibx/1344/2 "2014-12-22T22:16:44Z")
Interesting proposal-- I think it banks on South Bronx and Broadway Junction to serve as destination points, both of which are areas in the pipeline for being redeveloped. This _could_ also help out with the transportation situation in northern Astoria and for projects on Hallets Point. Astoria Cove would be a 15 min walk from the 21st Street ‘stop’ (if one were to be built). ---
**Author:** ![Aviemore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/779978/32.png) [@Aviemore](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/u/Aviemore)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2015, 3:14pm UTC](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/new-york-i-interborough-express-ibx/1344/3 "2015-02-12T15:14:48Z")
## [R.P.A. calls, again, for outer-borough X line](http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/city-hall/2015/02/8561985/rpa-calls-again-outer-borough-x-line) By Dana Rubinstein on February 10, 2015 [![](http://www.capitalnewyork.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/big_article_pic/a%20-%20xline_0.png) ](http://www.capitalnewyork.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/big_article_pic/a%20-%20xline_0.png) _The proposed X-line. (RPA)_ > The Regional Plan Association has a solution to New York City’s outer borough transportation problems: build the Triboro Rx line, or the X line as it is alternately known. > The proposed 24-mile route along a mostly above-ground right-of-way now used entirely by freight trains, would serve more than 100,000 weekday riders and is, according to the association, “by far the most promising” concept for rail expansion in the outer boroughs. > Passengers would board at one of 22 different stations stretching from the Bay Ridge in Brooklyn to Jackson Heights in Queens, to Co-Op City in the Bronx. > Along the way, it would intersect with 6, N, Q, 7, E, R, F, M, L, 2, 3, and 5 trains, providing just the sort of intra- and inter-borough connectivity now lacking in New York City’s radial, Manhattan-centric subway system. (The G train, which has substantially less connectivity to other lines, carries a similar number of passengers.) > “This line would address many of the weaknesses found in the transit system in the boroughs—poor connectivity within and between the Bronx, Queens and Brooklyn, slow bus service, excessive transferring and service reliability,” reads the report. > The R.P.A. could not provide a cost estimate for the project, though spokeswoman Wendy Pollack said that “it will cost substantially less than any other rail projects in the region, because the right of way is already there and it’s overground.” ---
**Author:** ![Waymond\_Womano](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.newyorkyimby.com/waymond_womano/32/7078_2.png) [@Waymond\_Womano](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/u/Waymond_Womano)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2020, 8:06pm UTC](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/new-york-i-interborough-express-ibx/1344/4 "2020-05-05T20:06:27Z")
> **[POINT-COUNTERPOINT: Two Views on ‘The Triboro’](https://nyc.streetsblog.org/2020/01/24/point-counterpoint-two-views-on-the-triboro/)** > > The MTA will study a long-sought, above-ground rail line linking the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens. But does it make sense? Let the debate begin! ---
**Author:** ![Waymond\_Womano](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.newyorkyimby.com/waymond_womano/32/7078_2.png) [@Waymond\_Womano](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/u/Waymond_Womano)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2022, 9:56pm UTC](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/new-york-i-interborough-express-ibx/1344/5 "2022-01-05T21:56:17Z")
> **[MTA to study ‘Interborough Express’ on old freight lines from Brooklyn to...](https://www.amny.com/transit/mta-to-study-interborough-express-on-old-freight-lines-from-brooklyn-to-queens/)** > > Governor Kathy Hochul wants to revive a proposal to repurpose miles freight rail lines between southern Brooklyn and Queens for a new public transit dubbed the "Interborough Express." ---
**Author:** ![baronson](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.newyorkyimby.com/baronson/32/190290_2.png) [@baronson](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/u/baronson)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2022, 9:33pm UTC](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/new-york-i-interborough-express-ibx/1344/6 "2022-01-20T21:33:52Z")
> Announcement video: > The MTA has released a report: [https://new.mta.info/document/72081](https://new.mta.info/document/72081) ---
**Author:** ![colrain](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.newyorkyimby.com/colrain/32/38661_2.png) [@colrain](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/u/colrain)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2022, 10:00pm UTC](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/new-york-i-interborough-express-ibx/1344/7 "2022-01-20T22:00:10Z")
New York City desperately needs a circular, or semi-circular rail route around it like this. ---
**Author:** ![mcart](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.newyorkyimby.com/mcart/32/84718_2.png) [@mcart](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/u/mcart)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2022, 10:10pm UTC](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/new-york-i-interborough-express-ibx/1344/8 "2022-01-20T22:10:00Z")
> **[Governor Hochul Releases Feasibility Report for the Interborough Express](https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-releases-feasibility-report-interborough-express)** > > Governor Hochul and Metropolitan Transportation Authority Acting Chair and CEO Lieber unveiled the results of a yearlong study assessing feasibility of the Interborough Express, the transformative transit project... > **[Interborough Express Between Brooklyn and Queens is Feasible: Hochul](https://commercialobserver.com/2022/01/new-york-governor-kathy-hochul-mta-say-interborough-express-between-brooklyn-and-queens-is-feasible/)** > > Kathy Hochul released a preliminary feasibility study on the Interborough Express showing the state could get the project off the ground. > **[Brooklyn-Queens Interborough Express Rail Project Quickly Moves To Next Phase](https://gothamist.com/news/brooklyn-queens-interborough-express-rail-project-quickly-moves-next-phase)** > > The line would connect to 17 subway stations and the Long Island Rail Road. ---
**Author:** ![mcart](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.newyorkyimby.com/mcart/32/84718_2.png) [@mcart](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/u/mcart)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2022, 4:10pm UTC](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/new-york-i-interborough-express-ibx/1344/9 "2022-02-23T16:10:21Z")
[![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/uploads/yimby/original/3X/9/6/96e23a0bc35266320bfbda5e19b4b3d9f9caefc8.jpeg "The Secret Subway That Could Save New York") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlhQoZqKMQE) ---
**Author:** ![Waymond\_Womano](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.newyorkyimby.com/waymond_womano/32/7078_2.png) [@Waymond\_Womano](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/u/Waymond_Womano)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2022, 11:57pm UTC](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/new-york-i-interborough-express-ibx/1344/10 "2022-03-28T23:57:48Z")
> **[Proposed Brooklyn-Queens transit line could link with LaGuardia Airport](https://nypost.com/2022/03/24/proposed-brooklyn-queens-transit-line-could-link-with-laguardia-airport/)** > > The MTA and Port Authority are considering combining the proposed Brooklyn-Queens train line with some of the alternatives to replace the Port Authority’s AirTrain to LaGuardia. ---
**Author:** ![BK1985](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eada6e/32.png) [@BK1985](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/u/BK1985)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2022, 2:09am UTC](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/new-york-i-interborough-express-ibx/1344/11 "2022-03-29T02:09:16Z")
now this definitely makes sense ---
**Author:** ![Waymond\_Womano](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.newyorkyimby.com/waymond_womano/32/7078_2.png) [@Waymond\_Womano](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/u/Waymond_Womano)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2022, 6:45pm UTC](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/new-york-i-interborough-express-ibx/1344/12 "2022-04-21T18:45:18Z")
> **[Queens Officials Ask State to Ensure Local Communities Aren't Overburdened by...](https://queenspost.com/queens-officials-ask-state-to-ensure-local-communities-arent-overburdened-by-interborough-express)** > > April 20, 2022 By Allie Griffin A half-dozen Queens legislators are calling on the state to ensure that a proposed commuter rail link between Queens and Brooklyn doesn’t overburden the neighborhoods it will run through. The elected officials penned a... ---
**Author:** ![stache](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.newyorkyimby.com/stache/32/30186_2.png) [@stache](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/u/stache)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2022, 1:45pm UTC](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/new-york-i-interborough-express-ibx/1344/13 "2022-04-22T13:45:48Z")
Ugh, Queens. “We hate everything!” ---
**Author:** ![Waymond\_Womano](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.newyorkyimby.com/waymond_womano/32/7078_2.png) [@Waymond\_Womano](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/u/Waymond_Womano)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2022, 5:13pm UTC](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/new-york-i-interborough-express-ibx/1344/14 "2022-04-26T17:13:13Z")
> **[MTA to Hold Virtual Public Town Hall Meeting on Interborough Express](https://new.mta.info/press-release/mta-hold-virtual-public-town-hall-meeting-interborough-express)** ---
**Author:** ![mcart](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.newyorkyimby.com/mcart/32/84718_2.png) [@mcart](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/u/mcart)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2022, 2:48am UTC](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/new-york-i-interborough-express-ibx/1344/15 "2022-05-22T02:48:54Z")
> **[Interborough Express](https://new.mta.info/project/interborough-express)** > > Learn more about the Interborough Express, a rapid transit line that would connect up to 17 subway lines between Brooklyn and Queens. ---
**Author:** ![mcart](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.newyorkyimby.com/mcart/32/84718_2.png) [@mcart](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/u/mcart)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2022, 4:47pm UTC](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/new-york-i-interborough-express-ibx/1344/16 "2022-05-23T16:47:37Z")
[![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/uploads/yimby/original/3X/f/9/f9f7f29cbf5901ee9ed003fbf931c2a90c851472.jpeg "Introducing the Proposed IBX") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnfiitqHyhw) ---
**Author:** ![Waymond\_Womano](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.newyorkyimby.com/waymond_womano/32/7078_2.png) [@Waymond\_Womano](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/u/Waymond_Womano)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2022, 3:26pm UTC](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/new-york-i-interborough-express-ibx/1344/17 "2022-05-31T15:26:19Z")
> **[See the Freight Tracks that Could Become the Interborough Express - Untapped...](https://untappedcities.com/2022/05/31/the-interborough-express-brooklyn-and-queens/)** > > The Interborough Express is a proposed 14-mile rapid transit route that would connect a dozen communities across Queens and Brooklyn. ---
**Author:** ![Waymond\_Womano](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.newyorkyimby.com/waymond_womano/32/7078_2.png) [@Waymond\_Womano](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/u/Waymond_Womano)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2022, 10:20pm UTC](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/new-york-i-interborough-express-ibx/1344/18 "2022-09-13T22:20:57Z")
> **[MTA to Hold Second Virtual Public Town Hall Meeting on the Interborough Express](https://new.mta.info/press-release/mta-hold-second-virtual-public-town-hall-meeting-interborough-express)** ---
**Author:** ![Waymond\_Womano](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.newyorkyimby.com/waymond_womano/32/7078_2.png) [@Waymond\_Womano](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/u/Waymond_Womano)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2022, 2:26am UTC](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/new-york-i-interborough-express-ibx/1344/19 "2022-10-25T02:26:52Z")
> **[Queens residents say Interborough Express would offer much needed option for...](https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/queens-residents-say-interborough-express-would-offer-much-needed-option-for-commuting-to-brooklyn/)** > > Commuters say they're often stranded without a direct subway link between the boroughs. ---
**Author:** ![Waymond\_Womano](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.newyorkyimby.com/waymond_womano/32/7078_2.png) [@Waymond\_Womano](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/u/Waymond_Womano)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2023, 2:09pm UTC](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/new-york-i-interborough-express-ibx/1344/20 "2023-01-11T14:09:17Z")
> **[Hochul Gives Green Signal To Light Rail On The Interborough Express](https://nyc.streetsblog.org/2023/01/10/hochul-gives-green-signal-to-light-rail-on-the-interborough-express/)** > > Gov. Hochul was poised to use her State of the State address on Tuesday afternoon to announce that the MTA will choose light rail for the Interborough Express, the transit connection on an existing… Apparently the Interborough Express will have a street-running light-rail section on a residential street in Middle Village. > [Next page](https://forum.newyorkyimby.com/t/new-york-i-interborough-express-ibx/1344.md?page=2)