Overview
- Gov. Kathy Hochul and the MTA launched the SEQRA process for the $5.5 billion IBX light-rail linking Bay Ridge and Jackson Heights.
- Public sessions are set for Oct. 29 at Brooklyn College, Nov. 6 at Christ the King High School in Middle Village, and Nov. 12 online for comments.
- Preliminary engineering and design continue in parallel, supported by about $2.75 billion from the MTA’s 2025–2029 capital plan.
- The 14-mile, 19-stop route would repurpose an MTA/CSX freight corridor, connect to 17 subway lines, roughly 50 bus routes and two LIRR stations, and target a 32-minute end-to-end trip.
- Officials project about 160,000 daily riders and service within a half-mile for roughly 900,000 residents, with support focused on mobility gains and concerns raised about potential displacement.