Storrow Drive Interim Tunnel Repairs

Repairs and improvements to extend the lifespan of the Storrow Drive Tunnel

Project Overview

The Storrow Drive Tunnel is scheduled to undergo interim repairs to extend the service life until a major tunnel rehabilitation/replacement project can be implemented. The work will be completed in two phases.

Phase 1, which is scheduled to begin Sunday night, April 5, is expected to be complete in summer 2026. During this phase, concrete repairs will be made to the underside of the tunnel ceiling.

Phase 2 is anticipated to take place in fall 2026. This phase will include potential additional structural mitigation as needed throughout the tunnel.

Travel Impacts

Nightly closures of the Storrow Drive Tunnel and the preceding eastbound travel lanes are scheduled to begin April 5, 2026, and will occur Sunday through Thursday for the duration of Phase 1. Closures will begin at 8:00 p.m. and lanes will reopen by 5:00 a.m. the following day. This work will take place overnight during off-peak hours to minimize impacts on the traveling public and are necessary to maintain worker and traveler safety.

Repair operations and staging will consider and make accommodations for major and local events as determined by DCR and MassDOT.  Any changes to the planned schedule will be announced with an advisory ahead of the start of work.  

Traffic Advisory April 2, 2026: Overnight Closures of Storrow Drive Eastbound and Soldiers Field Road Eastbound

Detour Routes

DCR and MassDOT are collaborating to complete the interim repairs, working with the cities of Cambridge and Boston, mapping companies, and other stakeholders to communicate detour routes with signage to facilitate public wayfinding. Storrow Drive eastbound will close to all vehicular traffic starting at Soldiers Field Road and North Harvard Street. Eastbound travel will be rerouted to Memorial Drive and directed to Boston, via the Longfellow Bridge or via Land Boulevard and Charles River Dam Road to Leverett Circle. Travelers from the Allston and Brighton area are encouraged to detour from Soldiers Field Road, over Eliot Bridge, and on to Memorial Drive. Travelers from the Watertown area are encouraged to detour onto Greenough Boulevard and then onto Memorial Drive. Travelers from the Cambridge area are encouraged to detour to Memorial Drive. Local/business travelers can access North Harvard Street and detour from the Anderson Memorial Bridge to Memorial Drive. 

Project Limits

The project area encompasses the entire Storrow Drive Tunnel. The preceding eastbound travel lanes will be impacted by the project for full nightly closures to maintain worker and traveler safety.

Project Background and Development

Storrow Drive Tunnel was built in 1950 and extends approximately 1,280 feet. It accommodates an average of 58,000 vehicles that travel along Storrow Drive every day. Since it was built, significant repairs have been made to the tunnel, including in 2008. Prior projects have addressed concrete ceiling spalls, boat section wall repairs, and waterproofing.

DCR and MassDOT are actively collaborating on a major tunnel rehabilitation/replacement project. The interim repairs being conducted will extend the service life of the tunnel and maintain traveler safety until that project can be implemented.