The Boston City Council voted Wednesday to subpoena MBTA general manager Phil Eng as part of ongoing scrutiny of the proposed $164 million redesign of Blue Hill Avenue in Boston. The motion, which passed with eight of 13 councilors in favor, seeks to compel Eng to testify about the project, which aims to introduce a center-running bus lane along the corridor to improve transit speed and safety for approximately 40,000 daily riders.
The project, supported by a combination of state, city, MBTA, and federal funds totaling around $164 million, includes safety enhancements and streetscape improvements. However, it has faced opposition from some local officials and community members concerned about the loss of parking, potential resident displacement, and safety issues related to the central bus lane design.
Councilor Miniard Culpepper, a Dorchester Democrat and vocal critic of the plan, initiated the subpoena vote after alleging that Eng and other transportation officials avoided answering opponents’ questions during four public hearings held in September. He also pointed to Eng’s absence at an October 14 field hearing that Culpepper organized to discuss the project. According to Culpepper, members of Mayor Michelle Wu’s Streets Cabinet had informed him in advance that they would not attend the October event. The council did not pursue subpoenas for Wu or her staff on Wednesday.
Culpepper, along with Councilor Brian Worrell, has advocated for reconsidering the project in favor of an extension of the Orange Line subway along Blue Hill Avenue, a plan they argue would better serve residents of Roxbury, Dorchester, and Mattapan. Eng has stated that while the Blue Hill Avenue redesign is moving forward, it does not preclude future discussions or studies concerning potential rail expansion, which would require extensive time and funding.
Some councilors expressed reservations about invoking the subpoena power, noting the rarity of its use and cautioning that it could threaten the availability of federal grants tied to the project. Councilors Gabriela Coletta Zapata and Sharon Durkan voted against the subpoena, while three others—John FitzGerald, Enrique Pepén, and Benjamin Weber—voted present.
An MBTA spokesperson said the agency was reviewing the council’s subpoena request and reiterated that Eng was previously unavailable to attend the October 14 hearing. The MBTA affirmed its commitment to working collaboratively with the city and community stakeholders as the project moves forward. Final design work and additional public meetings are expected in 2024, with construction tentatively slated to begin in 2028.