Clogged drainage, climate change blamed for flooded Boston Tunnel, seen in viral video

BOSTON — MassDOT is reassuring drivers in a now-viral video that shows it was an isolated incident Floodwaters are rising quickly in the Ted Williams Tunnel in Boston as drivers moved cautiously during the evening commute.

Drain blockage

“This was a drainage blockage that caused this problem. It was a very heavy rainstorm,” state highway administrator Jonathan Gulliver said Thursday afternoon.

Floodwaters reached a depth of one meter and spanned two lanes as torrential rain fell at the end of rush hour traffic on Wednesday. Gulliver said MassDOT has sent pump trucks and crews to the tunnel, but clearing the drain blockage has been a challenge.

“There is a lot of road debris on a regular basis that comes off trucks and cars and ends up accumulating,” Gulliver explained. “Again, it’s difficult to get there. We’re assuming it’s about 15 to 20 feet long in line. “

Aging infrastructure and climate change

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu called these flash floods the new normal.

“It’s frightening and it’s just like that on any given day here in Boston,” the mayor said of the viral video.

She blames aging infrastructure and climate change.

“Heat and floods, rain and storm surges are the main areas where our climate and weather patterns are changing,” Wu said.

MassDOT agrees, but assures drivers that the tunnel system is safe.

“I want to reassure people that the tunnel systems are safe,” Gulliver added.

Crews will spend the weekend checking the many catch basins and water pumping systems in the tunnels to ensure there are no blockages before the next big storm.