Sumner Tunnel reopening: What to know and when it is going to be closed subsequent

East Boston and North Shore residents rejoice! After two months of longer commutes, the Sumner Tunnel closure is ending Thursday, Sept. 1.

Some transit adjustments will happen with the reopening of the tunnel, which connects East Boston to downtown Boston, however they’re merely the MBTA going again to offering regular service.

The most important adjustments are that common fares and parking charges will resume systemwide, and that riders can now not present any sort of ticket or Charlie Card on the Commuter Rail or East Boston ferry.

Elements of the MBTA the place regular fares and charges will resume:

• Blue Line
• Commuter Rail Newburyport/Rockport Line
• East Boston, Lynn, and Winthrop ferries
• Bus routes 111, 112, 114, 116, 117, and SL3
• the RIDE

The MBTA recommends riders purchase passes or reload their Charlie Card or ticket prematurely of the reopening to forestall boarding slowdowns.

Future Sumner Tunnel closures

There’s nonetheless work to be executed to revive the Sumner Tunnel, however the subsequent a part of the challenge received’t be as disruptive.

This fall and subsequent spring, the Sumner Tunnel will shut for round a dozen weekends, MassDOT spokesperson Marshall Hook stated Monday. The schedule for the closures hasn’t been finalized but, however it’s anticipated to be launched later this week.

Moreover, one other two-month closure is scheduled for subsequent summer season. Hook stated it is going to occur at roughly the identical time as this yr’s closure — from round July 4 to Labor Day — however the precise dates are additionally anticipated to be introduced later this week.

Proper now, the second two-month closure is the ultimate closure deliberate for the Sumner Tunnel. Hook appeared hopeful that no extra closures might be introduced, however stated he couldn’t make any guarantees.

It wouldn’t be the primary time the tunnel’s closure plan has modified. Final summer season when the restoration challenge kicked off, the plan was to shut the tunnel for 4 months this summer season after which have extra weekend closures over the subsequent yr.

MassDOT introduced in February 2023 that it was splitting up the four-month closure into two two-month closures over two years.

You will discover the newest updates on the closure on mass.gov.

Sumner Tunnel enhancements

The Sumner Tunnel was constructed within the Nineteen Thirties. It’s now in unhealthy situation resulting from corrosion and regular put on and tear, officers say.

In line with MassDOT, the tunnel is affected by chipped and crumbling concrete, rusted reinforcements, cracked wall panels, damaged lighting fixtures, and deteriorated pavement. Moreover, the tunnel’s air flow, drainage, safety, and fireplace suppression programs all must be introduced as much as code.

“At this level, we’re effectively past patches and repairs: the one solution to preserve the Sumner Tunnel in service is with a top-to-bottom restoration,” MassDOT wrote on its web site.

Throughout the closure, crews are restoring the overhead arch and ceiling, portray tunnel partitions, including fireproof boards, and putting in new lights and cables, MassDOT stated.

Upcoming MBTA closures

The most important upcoming closure will start Sept. 9 when a lot of the Haverhill Commuter Rail Line might be changed by shuttle buses for about two months.

Moreover, in October, the Mattapan and Ashmont Strains on the Pink Line will shut down for 16 days and get replaced by shuttle buses.

On Monday, the MBTA additionally introduced shorter closures on the Pink, Inexperienced, Orange, Kingston, Middleborough, Greenbush, and Newburyport/Rockport Strains.