Sumner Tunnel to close for the summer, reroute Boston traffic

Samantha Latos,
(Provided photo)

BOSTON (WLNE) — The Sumner Tunnel in Boston will close for the summer starting on Wednesday.

The tunnel will be fully closed through Thursday, Aug. 31 while crews work on the Sumner Tunnel Restoration Project.

The project to restore the state’s oldest tunnel began last spring.

“We know the closure of the Sumner Tunnel will be a daily impact to those living, working, and traveling in this region,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Gina Fiandaca. “The Sumner Tunnel Restoration Project is a crucial investment in transportation infrastructure in the Commonwealth, and we are working hard to provide as many mitigation measures as possible to those impacted.”

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation announced different travel options while the tunnel is closed:

Travel to and from East Boston and the North End:

MBTA Blue Line and Parking

  • The entire Blue Line in both directions will be free. Gates will be open at all Blue Line stations from Wonderland to Bowdoin.
  • An additional train will be added to the Blue Line in the midday to help support more riders riding the line.
  • All MBTA parking lots and garages on the Blue Line will be reduced to $2 a day. Additional free parking is available near Wood Island Station.

Discounted Tolls

  • Discounted tolls will be provided for the Tobin Bridge and Ted Williams Tunnel for those registered in the Resident Discount Program.
  • Real Time Traffic monitoring will be available at 13 local intersections.

East Boston Ferry

  • The East Boston ferry will be free.
  • The East Boston ferry service project operates between East Boston at Lewis Mall and the downtown Boston area at Long Wharf. East Boston ferry service schedules are available online.

Travel to and from the North Shore:

Commuter Rail and Parking

  • Zone 1A — $2.40 — fares from Salem and Swampscott Commuter Rail. Parking at Salem and Swampscott is $2 per day.
  • Free parking at lots north of Salem, including Beverly, Gloucester, Hamilton/Wenham, Newburyport, North Beverly, Monserrat, Rowley, and West Gloucester.
  • Blue Line benefits also apply. Travelers are encouraged to use the Wonderland Station parking lot if coming from the North Shore.

Lynn Ferry

  • The Lynn Ferry will operate between the Blossom Street dock in Lynn to Central Wharf in Boston, near the Boston Aquarium.
  • Free parking at the city lot will be available near the dock. Bicycles are allowed on the ferry.
  • Riders may use a Zone 1A fare — $2.40.
  • The Lynn Ferry will operate five days a week on weekdays only, with 10 trips per day. Schedules have not been announced yet.

Travel to and from Logan Airport:

Logan Express

  • There will be a 25% discount when you buy tickets online, and children under 17 ride free.
  • There will be additional parking at Braintree Logan Express.
  • MBTA Silver Line — SL1 & SL3 — buses can use the I-90 EB Emergency Ramp.
  • “Skip the Security Line” at Logan will be available for all water transportation users that show their ticket.
  • There will be an additional stop at Logan Airport by the Winthrop Ferry.

The tunnel will reopen in September.

Work is set to continue on most weekends from Friday nights at 11 p.m. to Monday mornings at 5 a.m. through November.

The tunnel will be open on holiday weekends, including the weekends before and after Thanksgiving.

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