Sumner Tunnel

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 northbound and Storrow Drive. Traffic headed for I-93 southbound and the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) westbound is normally routed to the Ted Williams Tunnel.

Sumner Tunnel
Exit from the tunnel in Downtown Boston
Overview
LocationBoston, Massachusetts
StatusOpen
Route Route 1A south
StartEast Boston
EndDowntown Boston
Operation
ConstructedMarch 30, 1931 – June 30, 1934
OpenedJune 30, 1934 (June 30, 1934)
OwnerCommonwealth of Massachusetts
OperatorMassachusetts Department of Transportation
TrafficAutomotive
TollBetween $0.20 and $2.05 depending on payment method and residency[1]
Technical
Length1.079 mi (1.736 km)
No. of lanes2
Operating speed40 mph (64 km/h)
Tunnel clearance12.6 ft (3.8 m)
Width22.2 ft (6.8 m)

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-ZPass 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 (at the time, the toll was $3.50 in the southbound direction only). 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 This vote was later rescinded following a vote approving a 1.25% sales tax increase.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, cashless tolling 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]

  • Showing the Sumner Tunnel (in red)
  • An old shield for the Sumner Tunnel, with the Masspike hat. This shield is no longer used.

See also

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

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