Free Blue Line and different journey choices are coming to offset Sumner Tunnel closure

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“Our message to residents and people touring is when shifting via this space, if attainable, go away your automobile at house.”

A sign for the MBTA's Blue Line.
The Massachusetts Division of Transportation on Friday introduced plans to offer journey alternate options, together with free Blue Line service, to deal with this summer time’s Sumner Tunnel closure. David L. Ryan/Globe Workers

Amid the July and August closure of the Sumner Tunnel — which routes site visitors from East Boston and Boston Logan Worldwide Airport to Boston and Interstate 93 — the Massachusetts Division of Transportation on Friday introduced plans to offer journey alternate options, together with free Blue Line service, to deal with the anticipated spike in site visitors.

MassDOT in February introduced a brand new restore timeline to the Sumner Tunnel, which shall 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 automobile at house” when driving within the space.

“Since launching the Sumner Tunnel Restoration Undertaking final 12 months, we have now been working carefully with our companions to determine any and all mitigation measures we will put in place,” Freeway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver stated. “Our message to residents and people touring is when shifting via this space, if attainable, go away your automobile at house and discover the MBTA’s transit choices, together with the Blue Line, Commuter Rail, and ferry service choices out there to you.”

To mitigate the affect of the July and August closure, MassDOT, together with the the Sumner Tunnel Restoration Undertaking, shall be offering:

  • Free journeys on the MBTA Blue Line in the course of the tunnel’s closure
  • Free and lowered value water ferry choices
  • A brand new ferry service between Lynn and Central Wharf in Boston
  • Lowered commuter rail fares for riders
  • Lowered parking prices at MBTA and commuter rail parking heaps and garages
  • Discounted tolls for residents
  • Further choices for vacationers to and from Logan Airport

Free journeys on the Blue Line

Journeys on the Blue Line shall be free in each instructions in any respect stations from Wonderland to Bowdoin, based on MassDOT. And the MBTA shall be including an extra practice to accommodate elevated ridership.

Parking at Blue Line stations can even be discounted to $2 per day with extra parking offered close to Wooden Island Station.

“I’m happy that along with MassDOT, the MBTA is ready to provide free Blue Line service to these impacted by the Sumner Tunnel closure this summer time,” MBTA Common Supervisor Phillip Eng stated. “The MBTA has been working arduous to scale back journey instances on the Blue Line in anticipation of this undertaking. We’ve got the capability wanted on the Blue Line to serve our present and new prospects on this line, and I encourage those that can to reap the benefits of this free service in July and August.”

Ferry choices

Journeys on the East Boston Ferry can even be free all through the closure, based on MassDOT.

The division additionally introduced the return of commuter ferry service from Lynn to Boston. The ferry will function between the Blossom Road dock — with free parking — in Lynn to Central Wharf in Boston. A one-way journey on the ferry will value $2.40. Bicycles can even be permitted.

In accordance with MassDOT, the Lynn Ferry will function on weekdays solely, with 10 journeys per day. The division stated they may launch the ferry’s schedule as soon as it’s finalized.

Lowered 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 shall be set at $2 per day.

Free parking can 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 can even be offering discounted tolls via the Tobin Bridge and Ted Williams Tunnel for drivers with E-ZPass.

Various journey choices to Logan

As a result of heavy site 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 underneath 17.

The division additionally introduced extra 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.

Courtesy of MassDOT