Demolition is underway as the closure of Boston’s Sumner Tunnel begins
Buckle up and get ready for some serious travel headaches over the next two months, the busy Sumner Tunnel closed just after midnight Wednesday morning. “The contractor rolled in a little past midnight last night,” MassDOT Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver told WCVB’s EyeOpener. “They have already started demolition.” This 8-week phase of the project is expected to cause extreme traffic congestion in Boston, but will require necessary safety and environmental changes to the 88-year-old tunnel. Around-the-clock work is expected to continue until the closure ends on August 31. The Sumner Tunnel carries Route 1[ads1]A vehicles south from Logan International Airport and East Boston to the North End and downtown areas. It was originally built in 1934, and state officials say it now needs a complete overhaul.”They’re going to start by demolishing the existing false ceiling. They’re going to remove it,” Gulliver said. “After they get the entire soffit removed, they’re going to go in and they’re going to remove some of the older concrete that needs to be chipped out. Then they go back in and put in these precast units and start to close it all up.” Motorists are encouraged to use the MBTA to get out of their cars and avoid the expected traffic. Those who do not are expected to add to the normal traffic crossing the Tobin Bridge or passing through the Ted Williams Tunnel. Video below: Blue Line free during tunnel closure Due to the expected traffic impacts, the Massachusetts Port Authority, which operates Logan International Airport, is encouraging anyone catching a flight — including both motorists and those arriving at the airport by mass transit — to add two extra hours to travel time.”We ask people to be patient,” said Ed Freni, director of aviation for MassPort. “We ask them to plan ahead. Take a little more time, even two hours more if you can, to make sure things go smoothly for you.” Video below: Closure expected to snarl airport traffic Massachusetts officials said corrosion and wear-and-tear have caused significant impacts to the tunnel, including crumbling concrete, rusted rebar, cracked wall panels, broken light fixtures and a deteriorated roadway. state said.Helpful links:5 Alert Traffic MapMassDOT project summaryMBTA travel optionsAfter full closure, the Sumner Tunnel will reopen Friday, Jan. September in time for Labor Day weekend. The restoration project will then enter its third phase when it will again be closed at weekends – Friday 11pm to Monday 5am – starting on 8 September. The third phase is expected to last through the winter, but the tunnel will be open at the weekends of October 9 (Columbus/Indigenous People’s Day), November 17 (before Thanksgiving) and November 24 (Thanksgiving).
Buckle up and get ready for some serious travel headaches over the next two months, the busy Sumner Tunnel closed just after midnight Wednesday morning.
“The contractor rolled in a little past midnight last night,” MassDOT Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver told WCVB’s EyeOpener. – They have already started to tear.
This 8-week phase of the project is expected to cause extreme traffic congestion in Boston, but will require necessary safety and environmental changes to the 88-year-old tunnel. Around-the-clock work is expected to continue until the closure ends on 31 August.
The Sumner Tunnel carries vehicles on Route 1A south from Logan International Airport and East Boston to the North End and downtown areas. It was originally built in 1934, and state officials say it now needs a complete overhaul.
“They’re going to start by demolishing the existing false ceiling. They’re going to remove it,” Gulliver said. “After they get the entire soffit removed, they’re going to go in and they’re going to remove some of the older concrete that needs to be chipped out. Then they go back in and put in these precast units and start to close it all up.”
Motorists are encouraged to use the MBTA to get out of their cars and avoid the expected traffic. Those who do not are expected to add to the normal traffic crossing the Tobin Bridge or passing through the Ted Williams Tunnel.
Video below: Blue Line free during tunnel closure
Because of the expected traffic impacts, the Massachusetts Port Authority, which operates Logan International Airport, is urging anyone catching a flight — including both motorists and those arriving at the airport by public transportation — to add an extra two hours to their travel time. .
“We’re asking people to be patient,” said Ed Freni, director of aviation for MassPort. “We ask them to plan ahead. Take a little more time even 2 hours more if you can to make sure things go smoothly for you.”
Video below: Closure expected to snarl airport traffic
Massachusetts officials said corrosion and wear and tear have caused significant impacts to the tunnel, including crumbling concrete, rusted reinforcements, cracked wall panels, broken light fixtures and a deteriorated roadway.
Ventilation, drainage, security and fire suppression systems will all be modernized during the closure, the state said.
Helpful links:
After a full shutdown, the Sumner Tunnel will reopen on Friday, January 1. September in time for Labor Day weekend. The restoration project will then enter its third phase when it will again be closed at weekends – 11pm Friday to 5am Monday – starting on 8 September.
The third phase is expected to last through the winter, but the tunnel will be open on the weekends of October 9 (Columbus/Indigenous People’s Day), November 17 (before Thanksgiving) and November 24 (Thanksgiving).
