The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) in partnership with the MBTA and Boston Public Library will offer access to free digital newspapers, magazines, audiobooks, and e-books for the duration of the Sumner Tunnel closure.

The free digital content will be offered at more than 50 subway, bus, ferry, and commuter rail locations. The Sumner Tunnel closed at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, July 5. The tunnel will remain closed until Thursday, August 31.

“Ditch the Drive”

MassDOT is encouraging residents to Ditch the Drive and consider using alternative modes of transportation during the closure. While travelers are exploring these alternatives, they can take advantage of this free content to make the commute more enjoyable, according MassDOT.

“As we encourage travelers to Ditch the Drive, we are grateful to the Boston Public Library for partnering with us to find a way to make travelers’ trips more enjoyable,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Gina Fiandaca. “The BPL is a terrific resource for communities throughout Massachusetts and this program is great opportunity for riders to experience all that the Library has to offer.”

Library Partnership

The service is an expansion of an experiment the City of Boston launched at 20 bus stops in May, in partnership with the Boston Public Library and the MBTA.

While riders are waiting to board the bus, train, or ferry, they can scan the QR code available near the transportation stop to access the digital library in their default internet browser. There is no app required. Riders do not need to have a library card. They can browse the library offerings, and then select up to five eBooks or audiobooks to read or listen to right in the browser. Riders can access unlimited newspapers and magazines.  

The closure is the next phase of a project that began in April of 2022 and will include work on the tunnel ceiling, roadway, walls, lighting, and additional improvements, which will increase safety and climate resiliency. MassDOT has put together a robust plan to mitigate as much as possible the impact of the project on residents and travelers.