Sumner Tunnel Shutdown: Navigating North Shore To Boston This Summer

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — The push to convince those traveling from the North Shore to Boston to use public transportation during this summer's Sumner Tunnel shutdown is on with a new free satellite parking lot in Swampscott a free Blue Line subway highlighted in the first days of the closure.

The tunnel will be closed for renovations through Aug. 31 with state officials warning to expect driving commutes from North Shore locations to double starting next week. With traffic still light as many people take part or all of the July 4 holiday week as vacation, Lt Gov. and former Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll kicked off the "Ditch The Drive" campaign on Thursday as she and other state officials took the free Blue Line service into the city to the State House.

"Easy commute in to work on the Blue Line this morning with some North Shore/East Boston friends," she posted on her Twitter page Thursday morning.

Last Friday, Driscoll was among those on one of the first voyages of the new Lynn Ferry service from the Blossom Street Pier to Long Wharf South.

Ferry service and all North Shore commuter rail stops on the Rockport and Newburyport lines will be $2.40 each way for July and August and will accept Zone 1A commuter rail passes.

The MBTA said on Wednesday that the parking lot at Swampscott High School will be used as a satellite lot to the Swampscott commuter rail station via a free shuttle on weekdays. The bus will leave Swampscott High School 15 minutes prior to the train departure time from Swampscott commuter rail station.

Discounted and free parking will be available at MBTA lots throughout the North Shore in July and August with $2 parking at the Salem and Swampscott lots while spots are available, and free parking at Beverly, North Beverly, the Lynn Ferry site and the Swampscott High site.

Trains will run about every 30 minutes during morning and afternoon rush hours.

As of 9 a.m. on Thursday, the MBTA said the Swampscott commuter rail lot was full, but parking remained at the high school with the free shuttle.

At that time, the MBTA said the Orient Heights Lot was 56 percent full, the Beachmont Lot was 52 percent full, the Wonderland garage was 35 percent full, and both the Beverly and Salem garages were 27 percent full.

The MBTA has posted a video promoting alternative transportation in the city here:

Patch wants to know how North Shore residents are dealing with the Sumner closure this summer — whether it's by taking the commuter rail, park-and-riding the free Blue Line, finding alternative driving and biking routes, or simply working from home. Leave your tips in the comments section of this story or email them to scott.souza@patch for possible use in future stories about the closure.