The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has released a request for proposals to solicit consultant bids to start the $5.5 billion Interborough Express’ preliminary engineering phase, which is expected to take roughly two years.
The transit project will connect Brooklyn and Queens communities to 17 subway lines, 51 current bus routes, and the Long Island Rail Road at East New York Station. Officials say it should also reduce travel times within and between the two boroughs.
The project has undergone several changes in the last year.
In Queens’ Middle Village neighborhood, the MTA is moving forward with the design of a tunnel beneath Metropolitan Avenue rather than on-street operations, making the proposed line less prone to travel delays due to mixed traffic operations, officials said. This would result in a shorter end-to-end travel time and a more resilient project with a dedicated right-of-way for rail operation, allowing the MTA to offer faster and more frequent service.
Conceptual plans include the expansion of the existing tunnel or a new tunnel adjacent to it.
In Brooklyn’s East New York neighborhood, the MTA is moving forward with the design of a station north of Atlantic Avenue within an MTA-controlled site. An IBX station here would facilitate transfers to the A, C, J, Z , and L trains at the Broadway Junction station complex and the LIRR East New York Station on Atlantic Avenue.
The United States Department of Transportation awarded the MTA a $15 million Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity grant to fund a corridor assessment supporting preliminary engineering. USDOT also provided $1 million to fund innovative finance expert services for the project.
The preliminary engineering contract will be awarded under the MTA’s 2020-2024 capital plan. An additional $2.75 billion for further project development and the start of construction is included in the MTA Board-approved 2025-2029 capital plan.
