Massachusetts: Summer Tunnel Rehabilitation Project

Tunnel Returns to Its Glory Days

Challenge: Bostonians are rightfully proud of their beloved Fenway Park (circa 1912) – the oldest major league ballpark in America. When it comes to tunnels, however, “old” is not always best. The Sumner Tunnel, which opened in 1934, carries 40,000 cars a day under Boston Harbor, connects East Boston and Logan International Airport to the city’s North End. Corrosion and wear-and-tear have deeply impacted its walls and gutters exposing rebar on the ceiling and upper arch. Pavement conditions are poor – a fact obvious to anyone who drives it. Even after years of regular inspection and maintenance, the only way to keep the old tunnel operational is a top-to-bottom restoration.

The Solution: With help from the federal infrastructure investment law, the 89-year-old passage will be returned to its glory days. The Sumner Tunnel Rehabilitation project aims to restore all architectural finish components. It involves complete removal and replacement of wall panels, ceiling panels, and strengthening of the roadway slab. Other project elements include repair of the structural arch concrete with precast concrete liner panels. Ventilation, drainage, security, and fire suppression systems are being brought up to modern code..

What They’re Saying: “This is a good and necessary project. There’s a lot of deferred maintenance on it. Anyone who drives through it understands the sort of state of disrepair that is in…” – Massachusetts Port Authority Director of Strategic and Business Planning Joel Barrera (WBUR, 05/20/22)