BOSTON (WHDH) - The Ted Williams Tunnel in Boston was temporarily shut down Thursday morning to make way for a medical van carrying a donated heart to a hospital for a transplant, officials said.
While drivers faced major backups during the morning commute, officials said the delivery was crucial.
“This was a case where they had a patient that needed a heart transplant and the organ was ready this morning at that time and they had to get it to them quickly,” said state Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver.
The state Department of Transportation said around 8:15 a.m. that the tunnel would “shut down briefly” to allow for the medical transport.
State police were seen blocking most lanes going into the tunnel on Thursday morning. Inside the tunnel, MassDOT also shared video showing the scene. A few cars were seen driving through the area but the left lane was completely open.
The same MassDOT video showed flashing lights as first responders made their way from Logan Airport to Mass General Brigham.
The tunnel closure, officials said, lasted roughly 30 minutes.
“They slowed some traffic and rerouted some of it to ensure that the Ted Williams Tunnel had capacity so that, when that transport came in, they were able to transport it quickly and get through the tunnel quickly and get over to the hospital,” Gulliver said.
Thursday’s closure came as drivers continue to deal with traffic changes created by the two-month shutdown of the Sumner Tunnel.
The Ted Williams Tunnel has been one of the main alternate routes used by diverted traffic as crews work to replace the Sumner Tunnel’s ceiling, pavement and lighting.
Speaking with 7NEWS, Gulliver said officials “felt this was a success.”
“We know it was an inconvenience for some people,” he continued. “But, ultimately, this helped save someone’s life.”
(Copyright (c) 2026 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)