BOSTON (WHDH) - Governor Maura Healey has named the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) General Manager Philip Eng the Interim Transportation Secretary.
Healey’s office said Eng will continue to serve as general manager while acting as interim transportation secretary, making him also responsible for the state’s roads and bridges.
Eng insisted he will not be stretched too thin doing both jobs.
“I intend to be just as engaged as I’ve been with the MBTA, and I know that doesn’t sound feasible but it is,” said Eng. “I’m not worried about my capabilities of doing that because it really is about the teams behind me, my leadership teams on both sides, MASSDOT and MBTA.”
“A lot has happened because of his leadership and his management and I expect that he’ll bring his same level of management and leadership now statewide as he takes over the entire transportation system,” said Healey.
The announcement comes after Monica Tibbits-Nutt stepped down as Secretary of the Department of Transportation and CEO of MassDOT effective Thursday. Tibbits-Nutt is moving back to private industry. She will continue to act as an advisor through the end of the year to ensure a smoot transition for MassDOT.
Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver has also been promoted to Undersecretary of Transportation. Gulliver will continue to act as Highway Administrator as well.
Healey praised Eng for his work with the MBTA, crediting him with getting system-wide repairs completed to eliminate speed restrictions on all the subway lines for the first time in 20 years. Eng also presided over the opening of the South Coast rail delivering service to Southeastern Massachusetts for the first time in 65 years.
“As General Manager of the MBTA, Phil Eng has overseen a transformative period for public transportation in our state and delivered the results that the people of Massachusetts have needed for a long time when it comes to safety and reliability. He is a trusted leader with decades of transportation experience, and I know that he is the right person to lead MassDOT during this period,” said Healey. “Jonathan Gulliver is the longest serving Highway Administrator in MassDOT’s history for a reason – he knows how to deliver major, complex projects while also supporting our cities and towns’ needs when it comes to their roads and bridges. He is well deserving of this promotion.”
Eng has become a familiar face to MBTA travelers, riding the lines himself and showing up when there’s trouble. He insists that will not change now that his responsibilities are greater.
“I will show up wherever I need to show up because it’s important for the public to know that I’m going to be engaged,” said Eng. “I am not going to step back from any of the things that I’m doing. It’s important.”
Though Eng is working two jobs, Healey’s office told 7NEWS he will continue to be paid the same salary he gets as the MBTA General Manager.
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