Dreaded Sumner Tunnel Weekend Closures Start Friday Night

BOSTON, MA — The dreaded Sumner Tunnel weekend closures are upon us.

The tunnel linking much of Greater Boston to the north and west of the city to East Boston and Logan Airport will be closed for 36 weekends beginning Friday night at 11. The closures will run through May 2023 with the exception of holiday weekends.

"Closing the Sumner Tunnel is not a decision we're making lightly," DOT officials said. "We
know the project will lead to detours and delays for North-of-Boston and East Boston commuters, as well as complications for many Logan travelers."

The closures are part of phase 1 of the Sumner Tunnel Centennial Restoration Project.

After that, things will get worse.

The Sumner Tunnel will then be fully closed from May 2023 through Sept. 2023. Weekend closures will resume from Oct. 2023 through the winter of 2023/2024.

The tunnel will be closed each Friday night through Monday morning at 5 for the 36 weekends.

A map of detours is located above.

Work is weather dependent and subject to change without notice.

Those with questions about the closures or who want to report issues with the construction are invited to email concerns to Sumner100@dot.state.ma.us.

More information on the closures and alternative travel options can be found here.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)