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 on weekends until summer 2024. 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.
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
Every weekend until summer 2024, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Logan Airport travel tips
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 the Ted Williams Tunnel and re-direct traffic to minimize the backup on the mainline of I-90. Additionally, vehicles traveling on Route 1A/I-90 westbound towards Ted Williams Tunnel may see one less through lane on I-90 westbound. During some peak traffic periods, 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 closures of the Sumner Tunnel and provide safer driving conditions inside the Ted Williams Tunnel.