Congressman Dan Goldman Celebrates $15 Million Raise Grant to Metropolitan Transit Authority for the Interborough Express Project
RAISE Grant Would Fund the Corridor Profile Planning Assessment for Interborough Express Project
Interborough Express Aims to Provide Direct Connection Between Brooklyn and Queens Via Light Rail
Read Congressman Goldman’s Letter of Support Here
Washington, DC – Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) today celebrated the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) awarding of a $15,000,000 Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to prepare a Corridor Profile Planning Assessment for the Interborough Express (IBX). The IBX is a high-capacity light rail transit link that would provide a critical direct public transit connection between the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens. In February, Congressman Goldman wrote a letter to USDOT in support of the IBX’s grant application.
RAISE grant funding will enable the MTA to complete the first phase of preliminary engineering necessary for the Interborough Express NEPA analysis, bringing the project one step closer to reality. The IBX project plans to leverage existing infrastructure by utilizing an existing freight rail corridor for passenger service while accommodating expanded freight service.
“As our City continues to grow and thrive, it’s critical that our public transit system keeps up to serve all residents,” Congressman Dan Goldman said. “I am extremely proud to announce this substantial grant that will kickstart the IBX project, which has been discussed for our City since 1929. Alongside the Department of Transportation under the Biden Administration, we can reimagine the future of New York public transportation and provide critical infrastructure to underserved communities.”
The Interborough Express will provide new transportation options and increase equitable access for rapidly growing and historically underinvested neighborhoods from Sunset Park, Brooklyn to Jackson Heights, Queens. Once completed, the IBX will connect to 17 of New York City’s 22 subway lines, numerous bus lines, and the Long Island Rail Road.
With 900,000 people living within a half mile of the alignment, and over 60% of the census tracts in the corridor designated as Historically Disadvantaged Communities, the project aims to offer critical new connections to residents and workers in these areas. These communities often rely on Manhattan-centric rapid transit to travel within or between Brooklyn and Queens for work, healthcare, schools, and other services. The new connections will enhance equity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by decreasing car usage, ensuring New York City remains one of the least carbon-intensive cities in the country.
The RAISE grant program, which was authorized $1.5 billion annually by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, supports a diverse slate of communities with projects of local and regional significance. Funding is split equally between urban and rural areas, and a large percentage of grants support regions defined as historically disadvantaged or areas of persistent poverty.
Congressman Goldman is committed to expanding mass transit through NY-10.
In March, Congressman Goldman, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08), and Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez (NY-07) announced a $5.6 million Reconnecting Communities Grant Award for the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT).
In March of last year, Congressman Dan Goldman announced $2 million for MTA accessibility upgrades to expand a pilot program that helps visually impaired and limited English proficiency New Yorkers navigate the subway and bus systems.
Congressman Dan Goldman is a member of the Future of Transportation Caucus, which is dedicated to creating a vision for the future of our transportation system that emphasizes equity, access, safety, and sustainability.
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