East Boston wraps around Logan Airport and reaches the rest of the city through the Sumner and Callahan tunnels. A breakdown inside either tunnel shuts lanes in minutes, and the airport traffic keeps the surface streets busy around the clock. Quick Tow Boston explains how tows and recoveries work in East Boston and the tunnels.
How the tunnels connect East Boston to downtown
The Sumner Tunnel carries traffic from downtown Boston into East Boston, and the Callahan Tunnel carries traffic from East Boston into downtown. The two tunnels run under the harbor in parallel tubes, and they handle the bulk of the Logan Airport access traffic.
Both tunnels have limited shoulder space and strict ventilation. A disabled vehicle inside either tunnel shuts lanes in minutes, and the Massport and the State Police coordinate the recovery. The operator works under their direction.
The tunnels are also vulnerable to flooding during coastal storms and king tides. A driver who knows the tunnels are closed should not enter East Boston by that route.
What kinds of breakdowns happen in the tunnels
The tunnels see a mix of light-duty and heavy-duty breakdowns.
Sedans and SUVs that overheat, run out of gas, or have a dead battery are the steady stream. The operator uses a flatbed to clear the car, and the car is towed out of the tunnel to a safe spot on the East Boston side.
Box trucks and tractor-trailers that break down in the tunnels are a heavier problem. A tractor-trailer with a stuck transmission or a blown tire needs a heavy-duty wrecker, and the recovery can shut the tunnel for an hour or more.
Crashes in the tunnels can involve several vehicles and need a coordinated response. The State Police and Massport set the timing for the recovery, and the operator works under their direction.
Logan Airport access
Logan Airport sits inside East Boston, and the airport traffic keeps the streets around the terminals busy around the clock. A breakdown on an airport access road backs up the traffic heading to the terminals, and the operator needs access to the airport roads and the parking lots.
The Massport parking office enforces the parking rules at the airport, and a vehicle parked in violation at a Logan lot is towed to the Massport Central Parking Office on Level 2 of the Central Parking Garage. The release process runs around the clock, and the Massport number for towed vehicles is 617-561-1673.
A vehicle left at Logan for over 70 days is treated as abandoned under the Massport rule. Massport notifies the registered owner before the 70-day mark, and the owner can call the number above to arrange retrieval.
East Boston streets
East Boston is a dense residential neighborhood with narrow streets and limited off-street parking. The most common tow triggers are permit-zone violations, snow emergency parking bans, and the king-tide flooding that hits Central Square and the streets near the water.
A car parked in violation of a posted sign in East Boston is ticketed and possibly towed. The tow goes to the City of Boston lot at 200 Frontage Road if the violation is a city-issued ticket, or to the Massport lot if the violation is a Logan parking violation.
East Boston is about 50 percent Hispanic, and around 80 percent of Boston’s Salvadorans live in the neighborhood. Spanish is the working language for many of the calls, and the operators that cover Eastie take the call in Spanish.
What to do if you break down in East Boston
A driver who breaks down in East Boston or in the tunnels should follow these steps.
Pull to a safe spot. In the tunnels, the safe spot is the limited shoulder or the next exit. On the surface streets, the safe spot is the curb or a parking lot. A driver who can reach one should do so.
Stay in the car. The tunnels have live traffic in every lane. The surface streets are narrow with limited visibility. A person walking is at risk. Stay in the car with the hazards on.
Call for help. The dispatch line takes calls at any hour. The operator coordinates with the State Police when the breakdown is on a state highway, and with Massport when the breakdown is on an airport road.
How Quick Tow Boston helps in East Boston
Quick Tow Boston connects drivers with independent local operators who handle East Boston tows, breakdowns, and recoveries. The operator quotes the price before the truck rolls, and the dispatch runs at any hour.
For a sedan or SUV, the operator uses a wheel-lift or a flatbed. The job is a regular tow.
For a box truck or tractor-trailer, the operator uses a heavy-duty wrecker with a boom and an underlift. The job is a heavy-duty recovery, and the operator quotes it as such.
For a Logan parking tow, the Massport number at 617-561-1673 is the right starting point. The Massport Central Parking Office on Level 2 of the Central Parking Garage holds the car.
Frequently asked questions
What tunnels connect East Boston to downtown? The Sumner Tunnel carries traffic into East Boston, and the Callahan Tunnel carries traffic into downtown. Both run under the harbor.
Who manages traffic in the tunnels? The State Police and Massport coordinate the traffic management in the tunnels. The operator works under their direction.
Where does a Logan parking tow go? The Massport Central Parking Office on Level 2 of the Central Parking Garage holds the vehicle. The Massport number is 617-561-1673.
Do the operators speak Spanish? Yes. East Boston is a heavily Hispanic neighborhood, and the operators that cover Eastie take calls in Spanish.
When to call us
Call when a vehicle is disabled in East Boston, in one of the tunnels, or at Logan and needs a local operator sent. Quick Tow Boston connects drivers with independent local operators across Greater Boston, and the operator quotes the price before anyone is dispatched. Calls are recorded after a notice. Reach the dispatch line at (857) 858-5057.