Though the Sumner Tunnel closed last Wednesday, transportation officials warned again Sunday, the real traffic test will come this week.
“We’re here today really though to reiterate to drivers and regular commuters who are returning now from the holiday last week about the impacts that this project has,” said MassDOT Highway Adminstrator Jonathan Gulliver at a press conference Sunday morning. “With the Sumner Tunnel closed, it means that 1/3 of our main ways into the city from the North Shore is now taken out of service.”
The Sumner Tunnel, which typically serves an estimated 39,000 vehicles a day, will be closed through August 31 for repairs. This is the first two planned long-term closures, the second of which will take place for two months next summer.
There was “extremely light traffic” during the holiday week, Gulliver said Sunday. Starting around Tuesday, the normal crowd is expected to be back in force — which officials have previously stated will likely mean hours of traffic and multi-mile backlogs along alternate routes.
The biggest impacts will come from the North Shore and East Boston, Gulliver said, but the area is likely to see “very widespread congestion,” especially north of the city.”
“That’s because when traffic gets congested approaching Sumner Tunnel in that in that direction, it’s a domino effect — it starts spreading outward,” Gulliver said. “So it will not be surprising to see congestion on areas of the Mass Pike or areas of I-93, or the Southeast Expressway, or other routes into the city.”
The heaviest travel days, Gulliver said, will be Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for both morning and afternoon commutes, though Friday will also be “tough.”
The administrator again reminded people who have to drive to consider using the 511 website or app to monitor traffic and plan ahead.
“But we’re really, really encouraging everybody who’s a regular driver to ditch the drive, get out of their car and take take advantage of one of those other services so that this remains manageable during the remainder of the summer,” Gulliver emphasized.
During the shutdown, there are free Blue Line trips, discounted and free service on the Commuter Rail and ferries, several free Chelsea bus routes and Silver Line routes, and discounted parking at various public transportation lots.
For travelers, Massport has added extra bus routes, provided a 25% discount for the Logan Express and is allowing ferry riders to skip the security line.
“(P)lease allow for two additional hours of drive time to/from Logan due to increased congestion,” Logan Airport tweeted in an advisory Sunday.
Gulliver also gave an update on the construction Sunday, saying that “as of today” the workers have removed all of the suspended ceiling and are moving into the phase that will continue through the rest of the summer.
Officials are “confident” the construction will not exceed the planned August 31 end date.
“We’re in it for a long haul at this point,” said Gulliver. “We have another two months of this. And we want to make it manageable for everybody.”
