Sumner Tunnel, tunnel in Boston
The Sumner Tunnel is a road passage under Boston Harbor that connects East Boston to downtown Boston. It stretches nearly a mile and contains two lanes, one in each direction, allowing vehicles to cross the harbor directly.
The tunnel opened in 1934 and was named after William H. Sumner, son of a governor, representing an important milestone in Boston's transportation infrastructure. A second tunnel was later built nearby, after which the Sumner Tunnel primarily carried traffic heading into Boston.
The clear height for vehicles is over 12 feet, so most trucks can pass through easily, with traffic moving at about 40 miles per hour. Drivers pay using electronic tags or by phone rather than stopping at tollbooths, making passage quicker.
The tunnel was originally designed to carry traffic in both directions but was restructured after a second parallel tunnel was built to handle increasing traffic flow. This change shows how the crossing adapted to Boston's growing transportation needs.
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