A proposed light rail project that connects East New York to LIRR stops and 17 subway stations via Brooklyn and Queens is the subject of an MTA Virtual Town Hall scheduled for Wednesday night.
This project, known as Interborrow Express Governor Kathy Hochul announced last year that the railroad, which ceased operating in passenger service in the 1920s, will now operate on the Bay Ridge branch of the railroad, which is now used for freight traffic. This includes 24 miles of walkways including Bay Ridge, Borough Park, Brownsville, Bushwick, East New York, Elmhurst, Flatbush, Flatlands, Jackson Heights, Kensington, Maspeth, Middle Village, Midwood, New Lot and Sunset. Includes connections to subway stations along the route. park.
The Long Island Railroad’s East New York station will also be connected to the light rail.
The MTA estimates that the completed project will serve up to 115,000 passengers daily and about 4 million passengers annually, and transportation experts estimate the project could cost up to $2 billion. I’m here.
of Virtual Town Hallwill be held on Zoom on Wednesdays from 6:30-7:30 pm to provide an update on the proposals and discussions in the environmental review process.
Earlier this month, Hochul announced that consultants from Manhattan-based engineering firm WSP USA Inc. would conduct the environmental review, which she called in a statement “a major milestone in this monumental project. and bring us closer to our larger goals.” Improving quality of life while uniting the Brooklyn and Queens communities. ”
By using the existing tracks, Hochul said, “Interborough Express will reduce commuting times and facilitate subway connections throughout the line.”
An MTA study found that the Interborough Express can connect up to 7 out of 10 passengers in communities of color. The agency also estimates that about half of the passengers served do not own a car, and about one-third are from households living below the federal poverty line of 150%.
Some rider advocacy groups said the new line could cut commutes in Brooklyn and Queens by 30 minutes.
Lisa Dagrian, executive director of the MTA’s Permanent Citizens Advisory Board, said the project would allow commuters to avoid unnecessary trips to Manhattan, reduce reliance on automobiles, and reduce pollution. said he would.
“This is a long-running project that will be an important additional north-south junction in a region that doesn’t really have a choice,” Daglian said. “The Interborough Express offers people who want to travel only within Queens and Brooklyn a direct service without entering Manhattan. It provides connectivity to a variety of modes of transportation.”