Tough traffic expected during Sumner Tunnel shutdown beginning this week – Boston News, Weather, Sports [Video]

BOSTON (WHDH) – Crews are set to shut down the Sumner Tunnel for a month starting Friday to carry out some much-needed maintenance, officials said.

The 90-year-old tunnel will be getting a new concrete driving deck and fresh asphalt in the coming weeks. Driving to and from Boston’s Logan International Airport, traversing the streets of East Boston, and commuting into the city from the North Shore are all expected to be difficult beginning Friday.

“We are going to have the same mitigation package in place this year as we did last year. Again, this is a very difficult area, it’s one of only three ways in and out of Logan. It does impact regional congestion heavily,” said MassDOT Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver.

The package will include free and reduced fare ferry service. The MBTA Blue Line to the airport will be free and Commuter Rail fees for trains from the North Shore will …