Sumner Tunnel

Sumner Tunnel
Exit from the tunnel in Downtown Boston
Overview
Location Boston, Massachusetts
Status Open
Route Route 1A south
Start East Boston
End Downtown Boston
Operation
Constructed March 30, 1931 – June 30, 1934
Opened June 30, 1934 (June 30, 1934)
Owner Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Operator Massachusetts Department of Transportation
Traffic Automotive
Toll Between $0.20 and $2.05 depending on payment method and residency[1]
Technical
Length 1.079 mi (1.736 km)
No. of lanes 2
Operating speed 40 mph (64 km/h)
Tunnel clearance 12.6 ft (3.8 m)
Width 22.2 ft (6.8 m)

The Sumner Tunnel is a road tunnel in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. It carries traffic under Boston Harbor in one direction, from Logan International Airport and Route 1A in East Boston. The tunnel originally deposited traffic at the west side of the North End but with the completion of the Big Dig, it was modified to have two exits. One travels under I-93 and emerges on the west side of I-93 near Haymarket Subway Station. The other exit routes traffic to I-93 North and Storrow Drive. Traffic headed for I-93 South and the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) West is normally routed to the Ted Williams Tunnel.

History

The Sumner Tunnel was opened on June 30, 1934. It carried traffic in both directions until the opening of the parallel Callahan Tunnel in 1961. The Sumner Tunnel is named for William H. Sumner, the son of Governor Increase Sumner.

As of 2016, a toll of $1.50 is charged for non-commercial two-axle vehicles with a Massachusetts E-ZPass, while non-Massachusetts E-ZPass holders are charged $1.75. Vehicles without E-ZPasses are charged $2.05 through MassDOT's Pay by Plate MA program. For residents of certain Boston ZIP Codes, a discount is in effect using an E-ZPass transponder, costing $0.20. On November 14, 2008, the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority voted in favor of a proposed toll hike which would double the toll to $7.00 for non-commercial vehicles. E-ZPass users would receive a $1.00 discount and commercial vehicles would end up having to pay $9.00. This vote was later rescinded following a vote approving a 1.25% sales tax increase.

In 2016, booth-less toll systems were installed in both directions, entering the Sumner Tunnel and exiting the Callahan Tunnel as part of a plan to modernize toll collection in the Boston area.[2]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Toll Rates". EZDRIVEMA. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  2. ↑ "Toll Rates". EZDRIVEMA. Retrieved 2 December 2016.

Coordinates: 42°22′05″N 71°2′47″W / 42.36806°N 71.04639°W / 42.36806; -71.04639

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