Native
“Our message to residents and people touring is when shifting by way of this space, if doable, go away your automotive at house.”
Amid the July and August closure of the Sumner Tunnel — which routes visitors from East Boston and Boston Logan Worldwide Airport to Boston and Interstate 93 — the Massachusetts Division of Transportation on Friday introduced plans to supply journey options, together with free Blue Line service, to deal with the anticipated spike in visitors.
MassDOT in February introduced a brand new restore timeline to the Sumner Tunnel, which can be closed from July 5 to Aug. 31 in 2023 after which once more subsequent summer time. The closures are anticipated to extend congestion to and from the airport, prompting state officers to advise drivers to “go away your automotive at house” when driving within the space.
“Since launching the Sumner Tunnel Restoration Venture final yr, we have now been working intently with our companions to determine any and all mitigation measures we are able to put in place,” Freeway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver mentioned. “Our message to residents and people touring is when shifting by way of this space, if doable, go away your automotive at house and discover the MBTA’s transit choices, together with the Blue Line, Commuter Rail, and ferry service choices accessible to you.”
To mitigate the impression of the July and August closure, MassDOT, at the side of the the Sumner Tunnel Restoration Venture, can be offering:
- Free journeys on the MBTA Blue Line throughout the tunnel’s closure
- Free and diminished price water ferry choices
- A brand new ferry service between Lynn and Central Wharf in Boston
- Decreased commuter rail fares for riders
- Decreased parking prices at MBTA and commuter rail parking heaps and garages
- Discounted tolls for residents
- Extra choices for vacationers to and from Logan Airport
Free journeys on the Blue Line
Journeys on the Blue Line can be free in each instructions in any respect stations from Wonderland to Bowdoin, in line with MassDOT. And the MBTA can be including a further practice to accommodate elevated ridership.
Parking at Blue Line stations may even be discounted to $2 per day with further parking offered close to Wooden Island Station.
“I’m happy that along with MassDOT, the MBTA is ready to supply free Blue Line service to these impacted by the Sumner Tunnel closure this summer time,” MBTA Basic Supervisor Phillip Eng mentioned. “The MBTA has been working exhausting to scale back journey occasions on the Blue Line in anticipation of this mission. We’ve the capability wanted on the Blue Line to serve our current and new prospects on this line, and I encourage those that can to make the most of this free service in July and August.”
Ferry choices
Journeys on the East Boston Ferry may even be free all through the closure, in line with MassDOT.
The division additionally introduced the return of commuter ferry service from Lynn to Boston. The ferry will function between the Blossom Avenue dock — with free parking — in Lynn to Central Wharf in Boston. A one-way journey on the ferry will price $2.40. Bicycles may even be permitted.
In response to MassDOT, the Lynn Ferry will function on weekdays solely, with 10 journeys per day. The division mentioned they may launch the ferry’s schedule as soon as it’s finalized.
Decreased commuter rail, parking, and toll costs
Riders taking the Salem and Swampscott commuter rail will now be charged a subway fare of $2.40, and parking at each stations can be set at $2 per day.
Free parking may even be offered at a number of heaps north of Salem, together with Beverly, Gloucester, Hamilton/Wenham, Newburyport, North Beverly, Monserrat, Rowley, and West Gloucester.
MassDOT may even be offering discounted tolls by way of the Tobin Bridge and Ted Williams Tunnel for drivers with E-ZPass.
Various journey choices to Logan
Attributable to heavy visitors surrounding Logan Airport, MassDOT introduced reductions for the Logan Specific — a 25% low cost for on-line ticket purchases and free ridership for youngsters beneath 17.
The division additionally introduced further parking capability on the Braintree Logan Specific station, a “Skip the Safety Line” at Logan for water transportation customers, and an added cease at Logan for the Winthrop Ferry.
E-newsletter Signup
Keep updated on all the newest information from Boston.com