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<\/p>\nGovernor Hochul gives the go-ahead for the Brooklyn-to-Queens light-rail line to undergo environmental review, a key step for the mega-project.<\/p>\n
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Governor Kathy Hochul and MTA Chairperson and CEO Janno Lieber walk along a section of the projected path of the IBX in Brooklyn, August 1, 2025. Photo by Ben Fractenberg\/THE CITY<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t by Lauren Hartley<\/p>\n This article was originally published<\/a> on October 15 at 5:01 p.m. EDT by THE CITY<\/p>\n A long-dreamed-about line that would link Brooklyn and Queens via light rail can begin the environmental-review process, Governor Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a key step for the $5.5 billion Interborough Express<\/a>, which the state anticipates will eventually move 160,000 riders daily along 14 miles of a little-used freight railway. The proposed mega-project would run between Bay Ridge and Jackson Heights<\/a>, connecting to 17 subway lines, 50 bus routes, and two Long Island Rail Road stations.\u00a0<\/p>\n The light-rail line has been touted by officials as a \u201cgame-changer\u201d for riders in areas of the city with limited transit options \u2014 especially for those who want to travel between the two boroughs without having to commute through Manhattan.<\/p>\n What this means<\/p>\n The environmental review is a necessary step for approval of a project which already has $2.75 billion set aside for design and engineering work as part of the MTA\u2019s $68.4 billion capital plan<\/a> for 2025\u20132029.<\/p>\n The New York State Environmental Quality Review Act requires local government agencies to assess the potential environmental impacts of projects while also weighing their economic and social significance.<\/p>\n The review takes into account public feedback and will ultimately produce an environmental impact statement.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s that last step before you actually start putting things in the ground, before you start digging and building,\u201d said Blair Lorenzo, executive director of the Effective Transit Alliance.<\/p>\n Lorenzo added that such a project would typically receive some federal funding to kickstart the environmental review process. But the Trump administration has already put $18 billion on hold <\/a>for the next phase of the 2nd Avenue Subway and a new rail tunnel in the Hudson River.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe fact that they are doing it without any federal guarantee right now is, I think, a good sign of how committed they are \u2014 that this is a good idea and that they want to get it done regardless of national politics,\u201d Lorenzo said.<\/p>\n The environmental review process generally takes two years to complete.<\/p>\n How to submit feedback\u00a0<\/p>\n The MTA is accepting comments<\/a> for the IBX environmental review phase. The authority is also hosting three public meetings where community members can voice comments in person or via Zoom<\/a>. Here\u2019s when and where to attend:<\/p>\n Oct. 29, 2025, 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Brooklyn College Auditorium, 2900 Avenue H, Brooklyn, NY 11210 What this project could look like<\/p>\n Hochul has said the line will move riders end to end in 32 minutes.\u00a0<\/p>\n Along the proposed route of the IBX, more than a third of residents live below the federal poverty line, according to the MTA<\/a>. The transit authority anticipates it will create economic opportunities for the 900,000 people who live within a half mile, while easing commutes.<\/p>\n The transit expansion project is also seen as vital to further development in parts of Brooklyn and Queens, with more neighborhoods becoming draws for people to live and work.<\/p>\n The preliminary design and engineering work will continue alongside the environmental review process, with a construction contract set to be awarded once the design process is finished.<\/p>\n Related Stories<\/p>\n Email tips@brownstoner.com<\/a> with further comments, questions or tips. Follow Brownstoner on X<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>, and like us on Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n \n What’s Your Take? Leave a Comment\n <\/p>\n by THE CITY<\/a><\/p>\n
\nNov. 6, 2025, 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Christ the King High School Auditorium, 68-02 Metropolitan Avenue, Middle Village, NY 11379
\nNov. 12, 2025, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., online via Zoom
\nNov. 12, 2025, 6 to 8 p.m., online via Zoom<\/p>\n <\/p>\n