It's going to be a cruel Sumner (Tunnel closure) (2024)

The B-Side

Plus: 👀 The T’s new look

By Gia Orsino, The B-Side and Emily Schario, The B-Side

June 27, 2024

It’s Thursday, Boston.

👁️ Rememberthis campaignto put googly eyes on the T?Well, it looks like it actuallyworked. According tothese tweets, the MBTA found a way toput eyes on five trains, andyou’ve gotta see them.

👀What’s on tap today:

• The mayor’s veto got vetoed
• New England can’t take the heat
• A viral DIY prom dress

Up first…

TRANSPORTATION

The Sumner Tunnel’s facelift

John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe. Illustration: Gia Orsino.

It’s going to beanothercruel Sumner.From July 5 to August 5, the Sumner Tunnel — the primary inbound connector for cars heading from Eastie, Logan Airport, and Route 1A to Downtown —is fully shutting down for renovations.

Here’s what to know:

🤠This isn’t our first Sumner Tunnel closure rodeo.ICYMI: The nearly 100-year-old tunnel is undergoing a multi-year,$160 million facelift. Last summer’s two month-long closure resulted in a mostly new ceiling and lighting, plus some other (less sexy) upgrades. But this year, MassDOT officials say that renovations will be all about the road, which will get ripped up and replaced.

🙅‍♀️And if we’ve learned anything from last time: If possible, don’t drive.The state wenthardon their “Ditch the Drive” campaign last year, which actuallywent a long wayin getting folks to use alternative transit options. But that’s not to sayit won’t be a royal painto drive in the area, especially during commuting hours. So, officials are encouraging anyone who’s able to avoid the drive to do so again.

⛴️Thankfully, there will betonsof free and cheap alternatives.Seriously,like a lot, including:

• A fare-free (and slow zone-free) MBTA Blue Line from Wonderland to Bowdoin
• Discounted fares on the Newburyport/Rockport commuter rail
• Free and reduced parking at MBTA and commuter rail lots
• Free fares on the East Boston ferry; $2.40 for a one-way ride on the Lynn and Winthrop/Quincy ferries
• Free bus rides on Routes 111, 112, 114, 116, 117, and the Silver Line 3 (but keep in mind, the 111, 117, and 450will see service changes)
• Discounted tolls for residents who need to drive over the Tobin Bridge and through the Ted Williams Tunnel

🚗But if you must drive …Basically, budget additional time and mentally prepare for some major traffic. If you don’t know what route to take, MassDOT put togethersome helpful informationon which detours they recommend depending on your destination. Drivers should checkherefor traffic updates in real time.

🚧And August 5 won’t be the end of our woes.After the month-long shutdown, officials say that weekend shutdowns willcontinue through Thanksgiving, which should be similar to what we’ve been dealing with since the spring.

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CITY

Quick & dirty headlines

City Councilor Brian J. Worrell. Image: Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe.

☕ The City Council has vetoed a veto on Mayor Wu’s veto.Translation: In a meeting on Wednesday, the council failed to override Wu’s veto of the$15.3 million line item changesthey made to her$4.6 billion spending plan for the city. Wu’smost notable criticismof the changes were the $3.7 million in cuts to the police and fire department budgets, which would have been reallocated to housing assistance, college and career readiness, and small business programs. And though their line item changes were passed 10-3, in the end, the council only voted 7-6 for overriding Wu, missing the required supermajority by two votes.

🙅‍♀️ Officials are telling Mass.-bound migrants to go somewhere else.This week, Gov. Maura Healeysent state officials to the U.S.-Mexico borderto basically tell border officials and Mass.-bound migrants that our shelters are full, and families would be better off staying elsewhere. This is the latest move by Healey to try and address Mass.’migrant crisis, which, since October, has led her to break precedent on our unique “right-to-shelter law.” The governor has insteadcapped the number of familiesallowed in our shelter system at 7,500 and placing anine-month limiton stays.

🥵New Englanders (literally) can’t take the heat.Thetruly miserable heatthat descended upon most of New England last week caused a majorspike in heat-related illnesses,according to CDC data. The string of 95-plus degree days saw a jump in ER visits for heat-related illness from just 57 on June 17 to 857 on June 20,most of which were mild, with symptoms like fatigue and dehydration. But, rarer cases of heat stroke — which can cause organ and nerve damage — also saw an increase.

🛼Your weekend plans are about to get three times more fun.And you’ll have these three Friday openings to thank. First, lace up your skates at this new Kendall Common roller skating rink pop-up,Rollerama, which will be around (and free to use!) from June 28 to September 29. Next, grab your pups and head to the Fenway, becausePark-9’s dog park (and bar) new Fenway pop-up is officially opening for dogs and humans alike. And finally, hit up Arsenal Yards to try outButterbird, a new fast-casual sandwich and breakfast spot.

PARTNERSHIP

MEDIA SPONSORSHIP

An Evening on the Esplanade!

B-Side is a proud sponsor of the Esplanade Association’s Annual Summer Dock Party held on Thursday, July 18 from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Hosted on Community Boating, Inc.’s docks, this event will raise funds to support the Esplanade Association’s mission of enhancing and maintaining the beautiful Charles River Esplanade. Enjoy an evening filled with food, drinks, dancing, sunset views, door prizes, and so much more!Get the early bird ticket price until July 8.Buy your tickets today.

ONE LAST THING

A DIY prom dress

Image: Sarah Akinbuwa. Illustration: Gia Orsino.

For most people, their prom attire will cost them a hefty chunk of change … not to mention a lifetime of regrettable photos.

But it’s safe to say that Somerville teen Sarah Akinbuwawon’t be having second thoughtsabout her fit anytime soon.

Akinbuwawent completely viralon TikTok for her prom dress, garnering over 26 million views, and for good reason: She designed and hand crocheted it herself in just three days, which cost her just $60 (and apparently, a lot of missed sleep.)

Akinbuwa came to the U.S. from Nigeria in 2019, where she first started crocheting at 12 years old, and has dreams of being a fashion designer. And considering the dress, which wasinspired by Zendaya’s 2023 SAG awards fit, drew the attention of Zendaya’s designer Law Roach … we’d say she’s well on her way.

— Written by Gia Orsino and Emily Schario

🧶Thanks for reading!Meanwhile, it takes me 45 minutes to makea granny square.

💜Special shoutout to today’s sponsor,Flexcar, for supporting local journalism and making transportation more affordable and accessible in Boston.

🧑‍💻The results are in:48% of B-Siders love their WFH vibe, and are not feeling the burnout. One reader said: “if i have to go into office because of u, ill haunt u in the afterlife 👻.” Noted.

💃Keep up with us@BostonBSideonIG,TikTok, andTwitter. Send comments and suggestions to[emailprotected]or[emailprotected].