MTA Moves Ahead With Interborough Express Design

MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

A long-discussed rail link between Brooklyn and Queens took a major step forward this summer after the Metropolitan Transportation Authority approved a $166 million design contract for the Interborough Express.

The project, known as the IBX, would convert a little-used freight line into a 14-mile light rail corridor stretching from Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, to Jackson Heights, Queens. The line would bypass Manhattan entirely, cutting end-to-end travel times to under 40 minutes and connecting riders to as many as 17 subway lines and the Long Island Rail Road.

Gov. Kathy Hochul first directed the MTA to study the project in 2022. After reviewing alternatives, the agency selected light rail in 2023 as the preferred mode of transit. An environmental consultant was retained later that year, with a series of public engagement events held through 2024 and 2025.

“Building the Interborough Express will transform New York, connecting communities like never before, shortening commutes and unleashing the full potential of Brooklyn and Queens,” Hochul said.

The MTA board voted July 30 to retain Jacobs and HDR as the lead design firms. Construction is expected to cost about $5.5 billion and will be funded through the authority’s $68.4 billion 2025–2029 capital plan.

The Interborough Express corridor is already home to nearly 900,000 residents and more than 260,000 workers within a half-mile of the line. Forecasts from the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council project that the area will add at least 41,000 residents and 15,000 jobs by 2045, growth that transit planners say underscores the need for improved service. Nearly three-quarters of the population along the route are people of color, half of households lack access to a car, and 19% live below the poverty line — factors the MTA has pointed to in framing the IBX as an equity-driven project.

The proposed light rail would connect communities that are both economically and culturally diverse, stretching through neighborhoods such as Sunset Park, Borough Park, Kensington, Brownsville, East New York, Ridgewood, Maspeth and Elmhurst. With 19 planned stations, the IBX would link riders to as many as 17 subway lines, 51 bus routes and the Long Island Rail Road. Officials say the project could dramatically cut commute times for the majority of corridor residents who work within their own borough, offering a direct Brooklyn-to-Queens option that avoids Manhattan.

“The selection of the design team for the Interborough Express is a major milestone and an exciting step forward for New York. This transformative project will modernize the MTA and better connect millions of New Yorkers across the boroughs, especially my home borough of Queens. I’m grateful to Governor Hochul for her leadership and commitment to expanding efficient, accessible transit options for all,” Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas said.

Courtesy MTA

Unlike other major transit expansion projects, the IBX would run largely within an existing freight corridor — 11 miles owned by the MTA’s Long Island Rail Road and three miles owned by CSX — minimizing the need for new land acquisition. Two new passenger tracks would be added alongside freight operations, with upgraded infrastructure intended to reduce noise and emissions. The MTA has stressed that passenger service will be designed to coexist with freight traffic, while preserving the corridor’s role in regional goods movement.

“New Yorkers have long desired better ways to get between Queens and Brooklyn and the IBX offers an innovative solution to this age-old problem. Looking forward to the design team’s plans and progress so we can at long last get this important project rolling and give the outer boroughs faster, more reliable public transportation,” State Senator John Liu said.

Supporters say the Interborough Express could help knit together Brooklyn and Queens in ways the city’s existing transit network does not. With few direct rail options between the two boroughs, many commuters are forced to travel through Manhattan, adding time and strain to daily trips. By creating a faster, more reliable link, the IBX is expected to expand access to jobs, schools, and services, while also fostering stronger economic and cultural ties between neighborhoods that have long been difficult to reach from one another.

But even as the Interborough Express moves ahead, some Queens residents and homeowners have raised concerns about the project’s impact. Critics worry that neighborhoods along the corridor — many of them low- and middle-income — could be overburdened by increased foot traffic, noise, and construction disruptions. Others fear the new line could accelerate gentrification, driving up housing costs and putting pressure on longtime residents. Homeowners near the right-of-way have also voiced unease about property values and the possibility of expanded rail operations changing the character of their blocks.

The MTA has emphasized public engagement throughout the planning phase, holding open houses and pop-up events to explain the environmental review process and gather feedback from residents. Officials say reusing existing freight rail infrastructure will allow the IBX to be built more efficiently while preserving the Bay Ridge Branch’s use as a freight line, limiting the need for new land acquisition. Agency planners have also argued that the project’s design will deliver the best service at the best value for riders, while offering a faster commute and new transit options for neighborhoods long underserved by the subway system.

Tailoring Program Empowers Formerly Incarcerated at Fashion Week

MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

Witness to Mass Incarceration, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering formerly incarcerated, system-impacted, and LGBTQIA+ individuals, will be the featured partner for the 2025 edition of Style Across the Aisle, a fashion show during New York Fashion Week that showcases local designers dressing New York City elected officials. The event is scheduled for Sept. 10 at the New York County Surrogate’s Court in Lower Manhattan.

The nonprofit’s Art of Tailoring Program, developed in partnership with the Queens Economic Development Corporation, trains participants in designing and constructing clothing. Students in the program will take center stage at the show, designing outfits for three elected officials: Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Assemblyman Eddie Gibbs, and City Councilwoman Julie Won. The program provides hands-on experience for students, many of whom are system-impacted or formerly incarcerated and are exploring careers in fashion for the first time.

Evie Litwok, founder and executive director of Witness to Mass Incarceration, described the project as transformative. “This opportunity affords them the ability not only to design but to actually make, from scratch, two men’s suits and an outfit for Julie,” Litwok said. “They’ve never done anything like this. It’s eye-opening and incredibly empowering for them.”

Litwok, 74, is herself a formerly incarcerated Jewish lesbian whose experiences with the judicial and correctional systems inspired the nonprofit’s mission. She was incarcerated in two federal women’s prisons and faced significant challenges as an openly lesbian advocate while inside. During her time in prison, she documented systemic issues, including the death of a fellow inmate due to inadequate medical care, which resulted in her being placed in solitary confinement.

After her release, Litwok faced homelessness and unemployment despite a decades-long professional career, including 12 years on Wall Street and 10 years running nonprofits. She eventually founded Witness to Mass Incarceration to provide opportunities for others facing similar barriers. The organization’s programs focus on creating sustainable pathways to economic independence, reducing recidivism, and offering real-world vocational skills.

The nonprofit’s Art of Tailoring Program is structured as a two-year course that trains participants to launch their own businesses. Litwok emphasized that the program provides not just skills but also stipends, food, and transportation, so participants can fully dedicate themselves to learning a trade. “If you help people get employed or earn a living, you will never see them go back to prison,” she said.

The upcoming fashion show also allows students to explore creative expression while meeting real-world demands. Designers interviewed the officials to understand their personal styles and cultural backgrounds. Richards will wear a classic navy suit featuring his favorite phrase, “Queens get the money,” while Won’s outfit will reflect her Korean heritage. Gibbs, who is also formerly incarcerated, will have a design tailored to his own style preferences.

Litwok said the event is about more than fashion. “We want people to see that formerly incarcerated and system-impacted individuals are real people with skills, aspirations, and creativity. Their lives should not be defined by past mistakes but by what they choose to do afterward,” she said.

In addition to the tailoring program, Witness to Mass Incarceration maintains a directory of formerly incarcerated-led services and businesses in New York City. The organization is updating the directory to a three-dimensional, interactive map to help connect consumers with these businesses, many of which lack the resources for traditional advertising or marketing.

In addition to her nonprofit work, Litwok has launched a line of hoodies inspired by her service dog, Boo Boo, called My Boo Boo (mybooboo.org). The initiative allows students in the tailoring program to further develop their design skills while generating income to support stipends for program participants. Litwok said every dollar raised through the hoodies helps provide students with the resources they need to focus on learning a trade without financial distractions.

“This is about building lives, not just teaching a skill,” Litwok said. “If we invest in people and give them the support they need, they will thrive. It’s cheaper, more humane, and more effective than any other alternative, including incarceration or unstructured job training.”

Style Across the Aisle will feature elected officials wearing designs by emerging and small-scale designers, with Witness to Mass Incarceration among a select few participants. The show highlights how creativity and civic engagement intersect, offering a unique platform for formerly incarcerated individuals

Queens Woman Reverses Chronic Illness With Plant-Based Diet

MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

As chronic diseases rise across New York and the nation, a Queens woman says a low-cost nutrition program helped her reverse serious health problems and find a new path to wellness.

When Flushing resident Sherika Sterling received bloodwork showing she was prediabetic with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and fatty liver disease, she thought her family history of illness had caught up with her. “I just thought, as you get older, it’s natural for you to experience chronic pain and chronic illnesses,” Sterling said. But last fall, she joined Plant Powered Metro New York’s (PPMNY) Jumpstart program — and within weeks, her health began to change.

Sterling said she no longer suffers from the persistent knee pain that once made mornings unbearable. Her latest bloodwork shows healthy levels for blood sugar, cholesterol and liver enzymes, and she has shed 15 pounds since adopting the whole food, plant-based diet promoted by the program. “It’s not something you have to live with,” she said of chronic disease. “Your future self will thank you for the changes you make.”

PPMNY, a New York-based nonprofit, runs several Jumpstart cohorts each year to teach participants how to prepare affordable plant-based meals, understand the health science behind diet-related illness and find community support through mentorship and group activities. Registration is now open for three virtual cohorts this fall — two in English and one in Spanish — with a sliding scale fee starting at $150.

Health experts say the program arrives at a critical time. More than 40% of premature deaths in New York City are linked to chronic disease, according to the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, with Black and Latino New Yorkers facing disproportionate risks. Research shows whole food, plant-based diets can prevent, treat and even reverse conditions like diabetes, hypertension and heart disease.

Since completing the program, Sterling has become a volunteer with PPMNY to help others explore the same lifestyle changes. “I can only speak for myself and the evidence in my own life, but I would encourage anyone on the fence to give it a try,” she said.

Sterling, who joined the Afro-Caribbean cohort of Jumpstart, said the cultural context was critical in helping her adapt. “Afro-Caribbean people tend to have certain similar health issues, so we would meet weekly and talk through the challenges of adapting to plant-based nutrition,” she said. “We even had a WhatsApp group to share recipes and keep each other motivated.”

The program also encouraged participants to explore new foods. Sterling recalled a trip to a local farmers market where participants received Health Bucks — vouchers to buy fruits or vegetables they had never tried before. “I ended up buying a type of plum, which I’d never had before,” she said with a laugh. “It sounds simple, but it was delicious, and it made trying something new exciting.”

Beyond health improvements, Sterling said the sense of community was one of the most powerful parts of the program. Cohorts held potlucks where participants brought plant-based dishes, dinners at local vegan restaurants, and even movie nights to foster connection. “It was encouraging to be around people who had been plant-based for 10 or 30 years,” she said. “Hearing why they made the transition was inspiring. It made me feel like I wasn’t alone in this.”

The results have been tangible. Sterling said she allegedly lost 15 pounds during the 21-day program — more than she had ever been able to lose in past attempts — and noticed unexpected benefits like clearer skin. “I used to get painful pimples every month like clockwork,” she said. “After changing my diet, my skin cleared up, and that gave me even more motivation to stick with it.”

While she admits she was skeptical at first about giving up meat and dairy, she now embraces plant-based cooking, often making large batches of vegetable soup with kale, spinach, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and other seasonal vegetables that she freezes into 20 portions at a time. “Every time I make it, it’s different, and it’s always fun,” she said. “It’s affordable and it keeps me excited about food.”

Sterling also addresses a common concern — whether a plant-based diet provides enough nutrients. “I love kale and spinach, which are packed with calcium and vitamins,” she said. “I also supplement with vitamins B and D. Everything I need, I can get through whole foods and a little supplementation.”

New York City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene reports that chronic diseases remain the leading cause of premature death across the city, disproportionately impacting communities of color in neighborhoods like the South Bronx, Central Brooklyn and Harlem. In 2021, more than 40% of premature deaths were linked to conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and some cancers.

PPMNY says its Jumpstart program, evaluated in partnership with SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, has consistently shown improvements in nutrition knowledge, energy levels, BMI and overall health outcomes. Ninety-eight percent of participants said they would recommend the program to others.

For Sterling, the transformation went beyond the numbers. After completing the program, she became a volunteer with PPMNY to help others. “I feel like what you put in is what you get out,” she said. “If you put good, nutritious things into your body, you’re going to get good outcomes. I would encourage anyone with a history of chronic disease in their family — or anyone already struggling — to give it a try. It’s not the end of the world. Chronic pain and illness don’t have to be your destiny.”

Jumpstart sessions begin in September and October. More information is available at www.plantpoweredmetrony.org/jumpstarts.

Mayor Adams Announces Record 1,100 New Police Officers

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch last week announced the hiring of nearly 1,100 new police officers, marking the largest NYPD recruit class since January 2016.

The 1,093-person August class also sets a record for the Adams administration, surpassing the previous high of 1,045 recruits sworn in January 2025. With today’s class, the NYPD has hired 2,911 recruits so far this year — the most in nearly two decades — with another class planned later in 2025. Including officers already on the streets and in training, nearly 10,000 officers have joined the force under Adams.

The new recruits, sworn in Monday morning, will begin training at the Police Academy on Tuesday. They represent the city’s diversity and experience: members hail from 51 countries, speak 34 languages, and include 80 individuals with previous or current military service.

“Public safety is the prerequisite to prosperity, and today’s announcement shows we are investing in the future of both,” Adams said. “With nearly 1,100 new police recruits — the most in almost 10 years — beginning their training today thanks to expanded eligibility and modernized educational requirements we announced earlier this year, we are building a stronger and more modern NYPD that reflects the diversity, commitment, and determination of our city. These recruits will be part of the nearly 10,000 police officers who have stepped up to serve under our administration, helping us achieve historic reductions in crime and keeping our communities safe. Together, we are ending the culture of ‘anything goes,’ improving quality of life, and keeping New York City the safest big city in America and the best place to raise a family.”

“Today is a defining moment for the NYPD and for New York City — 1,093 new recruits are entering the police academy, the largest class in nearly a decade,” Tisch said. “The single most strategic thing the NYPD can do right now is hire more qualified officers. That’s why we were laser-focused on addressing our recruitment efforts and bringing in the next generation of officers. The momentum is changing, and thanks to Mayor Adams’ support, we will continue to attract the highest level of candidates to protect this city.”

The announcement highlights the Adams administration’s “End the Culture of Anything Goes” campaign, aimed at changing city culture, updating laws, and investing in programs to improve quality of life and reduce public disorder.

The FY 2026 Adopted Budget includes $3.4 billion for approximately 34,000 officers, funding four academy classes, with FY 2027 supporting a force of 35,000.

In February, Tisch announced a three-part plan to attract candidates and modernize education requirements. The minimum college credits to enter the Police Academy were reduced from 60 to 24, and a timed 1.5-mile run was reinstated as a fitness requirement. A recent reassessment found the six-month Police Academy training now equates to 45 college credits, meaning graduates will leave the academy with a minimum of 69 credits.

The changes contributed to a surge in applications: daily filings rose nearly 332 percent, from 53.5 to 231.5, and during the most recent exam, applications spiked 579 percent. Over 5,000 individuals registered for the exam in just two weeks.

The Adams administration credits its public safety investments with historic crime reductions. From January through July 2025, the city recorded the lowest number of shooting incidents and victims in history, driving a 5.6 percent drop in major crimes in July compared with the previous year and an overall 5 percent decline in index crimes year-to-date. So far in 2025, 3,605 fewer New Yorkers have been victims of crime compared with the same period in 2024. The administration also reports removing more than 23,200 illegal guns from city streets since Adams took office.

Adams has also launched a $500 million blueprint to combat gun violence, increased police presence in subways, cracked down on auto and retail theft, added mental health clinicians for those with severe mental illness, piloted new subway technology, and expanded the Saturday Night Lights youth program.

Earlier this week, the NYPD’s Quality of Life Division, launched in April, was expanded to all five boroughs. The unit addresses chronic quality-of-life issues and strengthens community trust, with plans to extend into city housing developments next month.

Through these combined efforts, the Adams administration continues to focus on safer streets, stronger communities, and a modernized police force prepared to meet the challenges of 21st-century New York.

Applicants interested in joining the NYPD can learn more and apply at the department’s recruitment website.