Transportation

The Sumner Tunnel is open again after major closure. Here’s what changed.

The major roadway has been closed since July 5.

The closure of the Sumner Tunnel from July 5th - August 5th for restoration in Boston. Kayla Bartkowski For The Boston Globe

By Eva Levin

After a full month of construction, the Sumner Tunnel is back in business.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation reopened the major underwater tunnel at 5 a.m. on Monday. The tunnel was completely shut down for construction since July 5.

The shutdown is part of a much longer restoration project, totaling $160 million dollars, that began with a similar shutdown in April of 2022. Overall, the project is focused on repairing “the tunnel roadway, walls, drainage and additional improvements which will increase safety and climate resiliency,” MassDOT said in a statement released today.

During the most recent shutdown, “the existing asphalt was removed from the length of the roadway and the concrete below was rehabilitated,” MassDOT said. In addition, curbing and drainage systems got some repairs, new fire safety measures were installed, and the entire roadway was repaved.

Advertisement:

The good news? MassDOT said the entire project will be completed by late November “at the latest.” 

The bad news? There are a few more shutdowns planned before then. The tunnel will be closed the weekends of August 9, August 16, and August 23, between Fridays at 11 p.m. and re-open to traffic on Mondays at 5 a.m.

The Sumner Tunnel shutdown, by the numbers

MassDOT shared some facts about the recent Sumner shutdown that shows the scope of the 31-day closure. During a month of work:

  • Mitigation costs for FY24 and FY25 totaled $13 million dollars.  
  • 13,516 square yards of concrete roadway were rehabilitated.
  • 3,122 tons of asphalt paving was laid.
  • 320 linear feet of granite curbing was replaced.
  • 69 new drainage inlets were installed.
  • 13,988 square feet of fireboard were installed.