Sumner Tunnel Closure, Week 2: MassDOT's Ditch the Drive Campaign a Clear Success
July 25, 2023
A Better City Traffic Analysis
Introduction:
It may not be the Big Dig, but closing the Sumner Tunnel around the clock for two months of
condensed reconstruction was sure to test the ability for state and city officials, business and
other community leaders, residents, and commuters to plan and work together to successfully
manage potential traffic impacts associated with large projects.
MassDOT began this closure on Wednesday, July 5, a smart choice given light traffic that
holiday week. Like many, my focus was on the next week. Would Monday, July 10 bring
significant traffic congestion and delays? What would each of the next four weekdays be like?
To track and evaluate traffic and congestion from July 10th to 14th, I studied commute times
for motorists with origins northeast of Boston Harbor and destinations in downtown Boston.
Trip travel times and traffic congestion data were compiled using Google Maps on an hourly
basis between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM. My analysis considered three sample journeys:
• Journey 1: Logan Airport to Boston City Hall via Ted Williams Tunnel
• Journey 2: MBTA Bus #111 Route, Everett to Haymarket via Tobin Bridge.
• Journey 3: Salem to Massachusetts State House via Tobin Bridge
Read Full report here.
