Sumner Tunnel facts for kids
 |
|
| Exit from the tunnel in Downtown Boston | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Location | Boston, Massachusetts |
| Status | Open |
| Route |  Route 1A south |
| Start | East Boston |
| End | Downtown Boston |
| Operation | |
| Owner | Commonwealth of Massachusetts |
| Operator | Massachusetts Department of Transportation |
| Traffic | Automotive |
| Toll | Between $0.20 and $2.05 depending on payment method and residency |
| Technical | |
| Construction | March 30, 1931 – June 30, 1934 |
| Length | 1.079 mi (1.736 km) |
| Number 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 exit connects to I-93 northbound and downtown Boston (Government Center) near Haymarket Subway Station. The other exit connects to Storrow Drive and Nashua St. with connections to Cambridge, MA via Rt. 28 north. Traffic headed for I-93 southbound and the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) westbound 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 EZ-Passes are charged $2.05 through MassDOT's Pay By Plate MA program. For East Boston residents, 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 This vote was later rescinded following a vote approving a 1.25% sales tax increase.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 revolutionize toll collection the Boston area.
Images for kids
-
An old shield for the Sumner Tunnel, with the Masspike hat. This shield is no longer used.
