The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has a comprehensive mitigation plan to address travel impacts and provide cost effective alternative transportation options for residents and visitors ahead of the scheduled closure of the Sumner Tunnel from Wednesday, July 5, through Thursday, August 31, 2023. The tunnel will be fully closed for approximately two months to facilitate work on the Sumner Tunnel Restoration Project.

Travelers are encouraged to Ditch the Drive and use alternative means of travel. MassDOT has created a menu of safe, efficient commute options while the tunnel is closed for repairs. Travelers can utilize MassDOT 511 to help review traffic conditions and MBTA’s Trip Planner to plan their public transit trips. Additional details on travel options are below.

DETOUR OPTIONS | EAST BOSTON & NORTH END | NORTH SHORE | LOGAN AIRPORT 

A map of the traffic routes around Greater Boston that will be affected by the Sumner Tunnel closure this summer.

Travel options available during the Sumner Tunnel closure.

Sumner Tunnel closures will affect travelers coming from Logan Airport/East Boston to Boston and points north.

If traveling to Logan Airport/ East Boston, continue using the Callahan Tunnel or the Ted Williams Tunnel.

Add additional travel time to both trips in case of congestion. If you are traveling from the airport, expect delays.

DETOUR OPTIONS

Beginning the Wednesday, July 5, 2023, the Sumner Tunnel will close.

In coordination with local agencies and emergency services, the following detours were determined as the most efficient options to divert traffic away from the Sumner Tunnel while it is closed. When possible, it is highly encouraged to utilize public transit options.

Drivers from East Boston seeking to reach the Downtown Boston area will be rerouted to I-90/Ted Williams Tunnel via Bennington Street and onto I-93.

Detour map, East Boston to Downtown Boston, with drivers being rerouted via the Ted Williams Tunnel.

View detour map PDF for East Boston to downtown Boston

Drivers leaving Logan Airport seeking to reach the Downtown Boston area will be rerouted to I-90/Ted Williams Tunnel and onto I-93.

Detour map, Logan Airport to Downtown Boston, with drivers reaching Downtown Boston via the Ted Williams Tunnel and I-93.

View detour map PDF for Logan Airport to Downtown Boston

Drivers leaving Logan Airport seeking to reach I-93 North should:

  • Follow signs for Route 1A North to Bell Circle Rotary.
  • Follow signs to Route 16 to Route 1 south.
  • Proceed over Route 1/Tobin Bridge and follow signs to Rutherford Avenue.
  • Continue through Sullivan Square and onto I-93 North.
Detour map, Logan Airport to I-93 North, with drivers being rerouted through Chelsea and the Tobin Bridge.

View detour map PDF for Logan Airport to I-93 North

Drivers traveling along Route 1 south towards Downtown Boston are encouraged to divert to Route 1A in Revere at the Bell Circle Rotary. Once on Route 1A, drivers will be rerouted to I-90/Ted Williams Tunnel and onto I-93.

Detour map, Revere to Downtown Boston, with drivers being rerouted via the Ted Williams Tunnel.

View detour map PDF for Revere to Downtown Boston

Drivers traveling along Route 1A south towards Downtown Boston are encouraged to continue along Route 1A and will be rerouted to the Ted Williams Tunnel and onto I-93.

Traveling to Logan Airport and East Boston:

Roadways leading to Logan Airport and East Boston are open and available for travel during the Sumner Tunnel/Route 1A South closures. Drivers should follow their normal route:

  • From points North: Take I-93 South to Route 1A North/Callahan Tunnel or take US-1 South
  • From Maine/ Portsmouth, NH/ Newburyport, MA: Take I-95 to Route 1 south, and then take Route 60 to Route 16
  • From points South: Take I-93 North to Route 1A North/ Callahan Tunnel, or take I-90 East/Ted Williams Tunnel
  • From points West: Take I-90 East and use the Ted Williams Tunnel

Travelers traveling towards East Boston should anticipate heavier traffic volumes during closures.

Traveling from Logan Airport and East Boston:

  • To points North, including Maine/ Portsmouth, NH/ Newburyport, MA: Take MA-1A North to US-1 North
  • To points South: Take I-90 West/Ted Williams Tunnel to I-93 South
  • To points West: Take I-90 West/Ted Williams Tunnel

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TRAVEL TO/FROM EAST BOSTON AND NORTH END

MBTA Blue Line and Parking

  • The entire Blue Line in both directions will be fare-free to riders. 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 period to help support more riders riding the line.
  • All MBTA parking lots and garages on the Blue Line will be reduced to $2/day. Additional free parking is available near Wood Island Station.
  • For paratransit customers, trips within ¾ of a mile of the Blue Line will also be fare-free to riders.
  • Visit mbta.com/Sumner for additional information.

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.
    MBTA East Boston Ferry
  • The East Boston ferry will be free during the tunnel’s closure.
  • The East Boston ferry service operates between East Boston at Lewis Mall and the downtown Boston area at Long Wharf. East Boston ferry service schedules are available online with all ferry service schedules available at mbta.com/ferry.

Seaport Ferry

  • Travelers can also use the existing Seaport ferry, which offers service between North Station and the Seaport and East Boston and the Seaport.

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TRAVEL TO/FROM THE NORTH SHORE

Commuter Rail and Parking

  • Zone 1A ($2.40) fares along the entire Newburyport/Rockport Commuter Rail line directly into North Station. Parking at Salem and Swampscott is reduced to just $2 per day. Free parking will be available at all MBTA 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 consider the Wonderland Station parking lot if coming from the North Shore.

Lynn Ferry

  • Beginning Monday June 26, 2023, a new Lynn Ferry will operate 5 days/week on weekdays only, with 10 trips per day. Schedules are being finalized and will be released as soon as they are available.
  • During the Sumner Tunnel shutdown, riders may use a Zone 1A fare ($2.40). The Lynn Ferry will operate between the Blossom St. dock in Lynn to Long Wharf, Gate 4, in Boston (near Aquarium).
  • Free parking at the City of Lynn-owned lot will be available near the Blossom St. dock. Bicycles are allowed on the ferry.

Winthrop Ferry

  • MBTA will operate Winthrop Ferry service beginning this summer. During the Sumner Tunnel shutdown, riders may use a Zone 1A fare ($2.40).
  • The route will provide service to Winthrop, Quincy, Logan Airport, Aquarium and Seaport 5 days a week. Schedules are being finalized and will be released as soon as they are available.

Salem Ferry

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TRAVEL TO/FROM LOGAN AIRPORT

To reduce traffic congestion during tunnel closures, MassDOT encourages those traveling to or from Logan Airport to leave their cars at home and explore Massport’s list of transportation options to and from Logan, which include: the Blue Line or Silver Line, the Logan Express, the Logan Water Taxi, or the Hingham/Hull Ferry.

Vehicles leaving Logan Airport should be aware of ongoing traffic impacts during the Sumner Tunnel closures. Periodically, Massport will close the ramp connecting the airport to Ted Williams Tunnel and direct traffic to the Sumner Tunnel to minimize the backup on the mainline of I-90. Additionally, vehicles traveling on Route 1A/I-90 westbound towards Ted Williams Tunnel should expect one less through lane on I-90 westbound. On Saturdays and Sundays between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. one lane is converted to a merge lane to help vehicles leaving Logan Airport to freely join the I-90 mainline. While these changes do not eliminate congestion, they are implemented in an effort to balance traffic volumes during weekend closures of the Sumner Tunnel and provide safer driving conditions inside the Ted Williams Tunnel.

Logan Express

  • There will be a 25% discount when you buy tickets online, and children under 17 ride free.
  • Adding additional parking capacity at Braintree Logan Express.
  • Providing passengers who take water transportation to the airport a “Ticket to Skip” to the front of the line for checkpoint screening.
  • Added stop at Logan Airport by the Winthrop Ferry.

Silver Line

  • An extra bus will be added to the SL1 schedule between 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. to add more service frequency due to increased trip time on the Ted Williams Tunnel.
  • The SL1 stops at Logan Airport and is always free for commuters traveling from the airport to Boston.

MassDOT also has a working partnership with public safety agencies and Boston EMS to support public safety during the Sumner Tunnel closure. There will be 2 dedicated ambulances for East Boston, 2 rotating ambulances to support the day shift, 2 rotating ambulances to support the evening shift, and 1 rotating ambulance to support the overnight shift.

For additional details on the Sumner Tunnel and the project, please visit mass.gov/sumner-tunnel and sign up for email updates at MassDOT.