What can drivers do when the Sumner Tunnel shuts down? Here’s a guide with alternate routes

BOSTON — Tens of thousands of drivers who use the Sumner Tunnel every day are bracing for impact with less than a week to go until the tunnel closes for nearly two months.

The 88-year-old tunnel, situated between East Boston and the North End, will close 24/7 beginning July 5th through the end of August.

MassDOT officials expect about half of the Sumner Tunnel’s normal traffic will be detoured through the Ted Williams Tunnel and the other half over the Tobin Bridge.

The closure is expected to have the biggest impact on drivers coming from Logan Airport and East Boston to Boston and points north.

Those traveling from parts of the North Shore to downtown Boston are also being cautioned about the upcoming headache.

“It’s crazy! What do they expect people to do?,” questioned Barbara Grab, who lives in Swampscott. “There’s so much traffic. It’s absurd.”

The most disruptive construction project Boston has seen in years is predicted to cause multi-mile backups as drivers scramble for alternate routes.

If you’re driving from Logan Airport and East Boston to points South, you can take I-90 West through the Ted Williams Tunnel to I-93 South.

To points West, you can take I-90 West through the Ted Williams Tunnel.

Those headed to points North, including Maine, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and Newburyport, can take 1A North to US-1 North.

Highway officials are urging commuters to ditch their cars and instead ride on public transportation into downtown Boston and Logan Airport.

Blue line service will be free during the closure.

“Nobody wants to take public transportation. It’s already affecting us,” said Camila Acuna, General Manager at Pazza on Porter.

Acuna, who serves as the GM at Pazza on Porter and a speakeasy called Next Door, told Boston 25 News that ride-share drivers have already been avoiding East Boston during weekend closures.

He anticipates those ride-share drivers will be even more scarce during the full shutdown starting next week.

“They have a nice experience, a high-end experience. They don’t want to take the train. They want to take Uber, and Uber doesn’t want to come here so it’s complicated,” he said.

MassDOT officials say those traveling to and from Logan should plan for an extra two hours of travel time and should avoid driving whenever possible.

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