Project accountability file
Hyde Park Avenue Complete Streets
A six-year battle for safer streets on one of Boston's most dangerous corridors.
Started
2019
Expected
Originally 2022, now 2026+
Delay
7+ years
About this project
Hyde Park Avenue is a critical five-mile artery connecting Readville to Forest Hills. Planning for a "complete streets" redesign began in 2019 with the goal of making the corridor safer for all users—pedestrians, cyclists, and transit riders.
The project was shelved during the COVID-19 pandemic and only formally restarted in 2023. The urgency shifted from theoretical to tragic in October 2024, when Forest Hills resident Glenn Inghram was killed by an MBTA bus in a crosswalk outside Forest Hills Station.
In response, over 700 residents signed a petition demanding immediate safety improvements, leading the Boston Transportation Department to present two "Early Action" alternatives in May 2025 for a segment scheduled for repaving.
Despite overwhelming local support for Alternative 2 (a "road diet" reducing the street to three lanes with painted bike lanes), the Wu administration announced in July 2025 that it would proceed with repaving only, implementing neither alternative and delaying safety designs until at least 2026.
Timeline
Project Initiated
Complete streets planning begins for Hyde Park Avenue corridor.
Project Shelved
Planning paused indefinitely due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Project Restarts
Project formally restarts after three-year hiatus.
Tragedy Strikes
Glenn Inghram killed by MBTA bus in crosswalk outside Forest Hills Station.
Community Response
Over 700 residents sign petition demanding immediate safety improvements.
Safety Walk
Residents organize Safety Walk to document hazards along the corridor.
Alternatives Presented
BTD presents two 'Early Action' alternatives for segment scheduled for repaving.
Administration Delays
Wu administration announces repaving only—neither safety alternative implemented.
City Council Hearing
Massive hearing where parents testify about harrowing daily commutes.
Key issues
- No protected bike lanes despite high cyclist traffic
- Dangerous crosswalks with inadequate signal timing
- High speeds due to wide lanes and lack of traffic calming
- Poor transit access for Route 32 bus riders
- Four times higher pedestrian crash rate in communities of color along corridor
Community impact
Route 32 bus riders—predominantly from Black and brown communities—face dangerous conditions accessing stops. Families report 'harrowing' school commutes.