Just when we thought airport traffic in Boston couldn’t get any worse. The Sumner Tunnel closure begins immediately following the July 4 holiday. The tunnel closes for one month from July 5 through August 5, 2024.
Officials predict it will add a gobsmacking 2-hours each way when commuting to Logan airport! In good news though, this closure will go no later than August 5, officials say.
During summer, approximately 36,000 flights take off from Logan Airport each month, making July one of the busiest air travel months of the year for Bostonians. The air travel reportedly increases about 42% year over year, which means we can expect about around 52,000 flights to take off this July.
And how do all of those people get to Logan? If they’re driving-they’re likely traveling through the Sumner Tunnel. The Massachusetts state highway chief is urging travelers going to Logan to “ditch the drive” noting standstill traffic will extend for miles to and from Logan with the tunnel shutdown in July.
Sumner Tunnel Closure schedule
This year’s Sumner Tunnel closure includes three phases, two phases of weekend-only closures and one full month-long closure according to Mass.gov. Weekend closures begin at 11 PM on Friday nights and last through 5 AM on Monday mornings.
Spring and summer weekend closures:
The tunnel will close the weekends of:
- May 17
- May 31
- June 7
- June 14
- June 21
Sumner Tunnel full closure:
The tunnel will close again from July 5 though August 5.
Summer and fall weekend closures:
The tunnel will close again every weekend on Fridays from 11 PM until Mondays at 5 AM. These weekend closures will run August 9 though November 15.
Implications of Sumner Tunnel Closure
Transit authorities urge Bostonians and those headed to Logan to opt for public transit as much as possible. And while the T has been less than reliable, connecting to the silver line that heads to the airport might still be the fastest option.
In a press conference regarding the impending Sumner Tunnel closure, MassDOT Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver noted:
This is by far the most impactful project we’ve taken on in some time. Drivers coming to the area should expect to experience severe congestion, especially around the connecting roadways to the Sumner Tunnel, and in particular the detour routes that are over the Tobin Bridge and through the Ted Williams Tunnel.
With the July 4 holiday and many people away, Gulliver likely predicted last closure, once the city fills back up, around July 10, traffic will be at its worst. And it will stay that way until the project completion on August 5.
Sumner Tunnel Closure Incentives
This year’s incentive program is similar to that of last year:
- The MBTA Blue Line will be completely free during the project
- Free/reduced ticket cost on MBTA ferries
- Discounted Commuter Rail prices for Newbury-Rockport line
- Discounted parking at certain MBTA lots
- Free RIDE trips to MBTA service areas
- Free rides on select Chelsea bus routes
It is still to be announced if these will return or if any travel and closure incentives go into effect for 2024.
The Sumner Tunnel closure will run from July 5 until August 5