With the Sumner Tunnel’s closure slated from July 5 until Aug. 31, state officials urged those who must drive southbound into Boston to start their commutes hours earlier.
In a press conference outside Wonderland Station this week, Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver said the Commonwealth’s Department of Transportation (MassDOT) expects “multi-mile” backups.
“What we recommend for everybody, if you have a time-critical appointment, give yourself a lot of extra time to get there. If you have to drive, it’s going to be a difficult couple of months for sure,” Gulliver said. “If you get all 40,000 people showing up and trying to get over the bridge and trying to get through the Ted Williams Tunnel, you will have extensive backups.”
With the Lynn-to-Boston ferry service back up and running, the Blue Line being made free for riders, and the Newbury/Rockport Commuter Rail Line operating at a reduced fare of $2.40 during the closure, Gulliver urged commuters to avoid driving into Boston unless it is absolutely necessary.
Gulliver said the first two weeks of the closure will likely see the most severe traffic. The more commuters who use public transportation, he said, the easier it will be for those who need to drive, such as construction workers, emergency responders, and those who work outside the MBTA’s hours of operation.
“If you do have to drive, take one of the alternate routes to get you around the region. First and foremost, take advantage of the public-transportation options that were provided,” Gulliver said. “The more people that are off the road, the more manageable it is for the people who don’t have those opportunities.”
Gulliver added that MassDOT anticipates the largest traffic blockages to occur along Route 1A Southbound, as well as at 13 intersections flagged for monitoring.
Massachusetts Port Authority CEO Lisa Wieland said she recommends that those traveling to Logan Airport during the closure leave two hours early.
“In addition to thinking about passengers getting to and from the airport, and in addition to being highly focused on public safety, we also have to make sure that flight crews get to the airport, that cargo makes its flights as well,” Wieland said.
