Streetcars proposed for East River waterfront

NEW YORK - Imagine the San Francisco trolley, just a little more modernized.

That's what's planned for the East River waterfront as a new means of transportation to connect Brooklyn and Queens.

Mayor Bill de Blasio made the announcement during his State of the City address Thursday night.

The BQX or Bronx Queens Connector will cruise at 11 miles per hour.

It will take about 40 minutes to get from Long Island City to downtown Brooklyn.

It would be the same cost as a single ride MetroCard.

Service is expected to begin in 2024.

Construction of the streetcars, beginning in 2019, will be funded by tax payers.