Sumner Tunnel Reopens After Major closure: Improvements Revealed
The Sumner Tunnel reopened to traffic Monday morning after a month-long closure for construction. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation announced the reopening at 5 a.m., marking the end of a complete shutdown that began July 5.
This closure is part of a larger $160 million restoration project aimed at improving the tunnel's roadway, walls, drainage, and overall safety and resilience to climate change, according to MassDOT. The project began with a similar shutdown in April 2022.
During the most recent shutdown, crews removed the existing asphalt and repaired the underlying concrete on the roadway. Additionally, they made repairs to the curbs and drainage systems, installed new fire safety measures, and repaved the entire tunnel.
There’s a silver lining: MassDOT has confirmed the entire project will wrap up by late November at the latest. However, the road to completion is still bumpy. The tunnel will be closed for several more weekends — August 9th, 16th, and 23rd — from 11 p.m. on Fridays to 5 a.m. on Mondays.
The Sumner Tunnel Shutdown: By the Numbers
MassDOT has released data highlighting the scale of the recent 31-day Sumner Tunnel closure:
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Cost: $13 million in mitigation costs for FY24 and FY25.
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Concrete: 13,516 square yards rehabilitated.
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Asphalt: 3,122 tons laid down.
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Curbing: 320 linear feet of granite replaced.
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Drainage: 69 new inlets installed.
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Fireproofing: 13,988 square feet of fireboard added.
The reopening of the Sumner Tunnel in Boston after its month-long closure brings several improvements that will likely enhance boston taxi services and overall traffic flow in the city. The upgrades include:
- Rehabilitated concrete roadway and new asphalt paving.
- Improved drainage with new inlets.
- New fireboard installation for better safety.
- Enhanced ventilation and lighting.
These improvements should lead to smoother and safer rides, reducing delays and making taxi services more efficient.