Sumner Tunnel Summer Shutdown: What You Need To Know Starting Friday

BOSTON, MA — While the summer travel nightmare that was the Sumner Tunnel Restoration shutdown last year will be significantly shorter this time around, there will be no shortage of driving headaches for those who typically use the tunnel to get from the North Shore to Boston.

This year's shutdown has been cut down from two months to one starting July 5 and extending through Aug. 5. Additional weekend closures this fall will be required to finish the $160 million project that is expected to add 50 years of functional lifespan to the tunnel that was built nearly a century ago.

"We understand that the impact from this closure will be considerable for those who live and work in the area and need to travel in and out of Boston," Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. "In recognition of that, we are providing as many options as possible to 'Ditch the Drive' and find alternative ways to move about the area."

Most of those options are the same as last year and will provide discounted or free travel from the North Shore to Boston that does not require driving.

The Commuter Rail will use Zone 1A fares ($2.40) from all stations north of Swampscott to Boston. Parking at Salem and Swampscott will be reduced to $2 per day (parking in Swampscott is limited). There will be free parking at lots north of Salem, including Beverly, North Beverly, Monserrat and Hamilton/Wenham.

A bus shuttle will provide service between the Swampscott High School parking lot and the Swampscott Commuter Rail Station during the Sumner Tunnel closure.

The Lynn Ferry will also be $2.40 with free parking at the lot near the Blossom Street dock. Bicycles are allowed on the ferry but not on the commuter rail during rush hour. The Lynn Ferry operates from the Blossom Street dock in Lynn to Long Wharf in Boston near the Aquarium.

The Lynn Ferry has 10 trips per day on weekdays. It does not operate on weekends.

The East Boston Ferry will be free.

The Salem Ferry will operate using its regular summer schedule and pricing.

"Last year we delivered safe and reliable service to support our partners at MassDOT during the Sumner Tunnel closure and this year we are ready to provide even better service," MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng said. "Our team at the T stepped up and accomplished record work to provide residents, essential workers, travelers, and transit-dependent riders many varied transit options during the Sumner Tunnel shutdown."

The Blue Line will be free to riders from Wonderland to Bowdoin stations. Additional trains will be added to run subway service every five minutes during peak commuter times. All MBTA parking lots and garages on the Blue Line will be reduced to $2 per day with additional free parking available at Wood Island Station.

There will be discounted tolls for the Tobin Bridge and Ted Williams Tunnel for those registered in the Resident Discount Program.

Those traveling to the airport are encouraged to take the Logan Express where there will be a 25 percent discount for tickets bought online with children under 17 free.

Additional parking has been added to Braintree Logan Express during the shutdown.

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