MassDOT asks commuters to 'ditch the drive' when Sumner Tunnel shuts down next week
REVERE - The Sumner Tunnel will close next week for nearly two months and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation is asking commuters to "ditch the drive" to make the situation less aggravating.
The tunnel will be completely shut down from Wednesday, July 5 through Thursday, August 31. During the closure they'll be working on the ceiling, road, walls, lights and improvements for "safety and climate resiliency."
"Our biggest fear is that people don't realize this is coming," Boston Mayor Michelle Wu told reporters at a news conference in Revere Wednesday morning. "We need everyone's help spreading the word."
The Sumner Tunnel is nearly 100 years old and is the first traffic tunnel in Massachusetts. It's one of four ways into the city and it's the main connection for East Boston and Logan Airport.
"This is the only way to get us to where we deserve to be in terms of updated, modernized infrastructure," Wu told reporters.
The shutdown will cause congestion in the Ted Williams Tunnel and on the Tobin Bridge. As alternatives, commuters can use the MBTA's Blue Line or East Boston ferry for free.
"We're asking if you can ditch the drive," Transportation Secretary Gina Fiandaca told reporters. "We're investing in free and reduced transit."
There will also be reduced fares on the Newburyport/Rockport commuter rail line.
"The T is ready to step up and move the public, move essential workers, travelers and transit dependent riders during the Sumner Tunnel shut down," said MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng, "We understand, the Sumner Tunnel project will disrupt patterns, and be a frustration for some of the public."
Massport CEO Lisa Wieland had a warning for those who insist on driving to the airport.
"We're asking people to plan for an extra two hours of travel time coming to and leaving Logan Airport," said Wieland. "We're also asking people not to drive."
As an incentive, Wieland said commuters who ride a ferry to Logan will get a ticket to skip to the front of the security line.
"We really need the public's help to get as many vehicles off the road as possible," said Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver.
He said the first two weeks are the most critical in a major traffic change like this. Gulliver expects traffic volume will likely be heavier starting July 10th, once the July 4th holiday week is over.
"If you have a time critical appointment, give yourself a lot of extra time to get there if you have to drive. It's going to be a difficult couple of months for sure. The more people that are off the road, the more manageable it is for the people who don't have those opportunities," Gulliver said.
MassDOT said the tunnel will be shut down again for about two months in the summer of 2024.
"When I Google trip times traveling by vehicle car routes, I got longer automobile trips than I do the Blue Line," said Eng. "I encourage everyone to take the T. You won't need a Charlie Card or a Charlie Ticket to ride the Blue Line. We will have all of the Blue Line station fare gates from Wonderland to Orient heights and back again completely open."
The Sumner Tunnel Restoration Project is expected to cost about $160 million.
"The tunnel is very crucial to me traveling here," explained Logan Airport traveler Geremie Luyell. "It is going to be impossible to get here on time then you have to be prepared for three hours."
"Horrendous, it is just going to be worse and worse and worse," believes traveler Mike Downey.
For more information, click here.
