A few dozen frustrated neighbors from across the city gathered before the City Council on Wednesday to speak out about delays and funding losses for major infrastructure projects, including safety upgrades to Blue Hill Avenue, Columbia Road, and other major streets.

Last year, Mayor Michelle Wu halted several of these projects amid a reelection campaign where bus and bike lane construction proved to be a flashpoint. She ordered a 30-day review period for all street projects approved during her first term and has reportedly required personal approval for most transit and road-safety projects since then.

Interim Chief of Streets Nick Gove and Executive Director of the Office of Neighborhood Services Mohammed Missouri provided an outline of the city’s goal to make its streets safe, efficient, and interconnected – not chaotic or stressful.

“In the first term, we made real progress by moving quickly. Testing ideas, learning in real time, and delivering fast, affordable safety improvements,” Gove said. “This next phase is not about slowing down on progress; it’s about getting the design right and avoiding unintended consequences for residents, communities, and local businesses.”

He added that the city’s priorities include calming traffic, investing in key corridors, and ensuring a state of good repair for all of Boston’s streets, but did not offer specifics on which projects, where, or when the council could expect progress on the stalled projects. 

The mayor’s office released a statement that morning detailing a few projects slated to break ground in the spring, but it omitted details on federally and state-funded projects like the Blue Hill Ave center bus lane, as well as smaller quality-of-life improvements like speed humps. 

Missouri refuted the idea that any projects had been paused. Instead, he said the administration has been spending a lot of time improving processes so that the streets work for all road users, and support small businesses. “Ultimately, that’s the goal for the administration, to make sure every neighborhood is pleasant to walk, drive, or bike,” Missouri said.

He added that the process may be taking longer than it had previously due to staff turnover and other factors related to that. 

“I feel like we’ve had a year to plan, where everything has been stopped from my perspective, and now is the time to come out with the plan,” said Councilor Ben Weber, “It’s up to us to pick that up and make our constituents voices heard, but right now, it’s like that arena doesn’t even exist.”

Transportation for Massachusetts Executive Director Reggie Ramos said that the idea “nothing is on pause” was inaccurate, disingenuous, and made it clear there is no comprehensive transportation in Boston. She urged the council to bring the administration back with updates on the 16 paused projects and not settle for platitudes like “we are committed to doing this.” 

“Boston’s neighborhoods have been promised safer streets, accessible transit, and a city that moves for everyone – not just those who can afford a car,” said Boston Cyclists Union (BCU) Interim Executive Director Tiffany Cogell. “Our reality is a pattern of stalled projects, withheld updates, and communities that are left in the dark.”

She added that the city’s inaction has caused federal and state dollars to fall through or be transferred to other projects. The BCU calls on the city to stop treating transparency as optional and start treating mobility justice as the urgent obligation it is. 

“Protected bike lanes save lives. Bus priority moves thousands of people efficiently. Accessible infrastructure opens up the city to everyone. We have the knowledge, and we have the funding. Now we need the will and follow-through.”