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East Link Extension South Bellevue Station

In this alert: Weekend work status update, Weekend of October 28-29, Weekday construction traffic impacts, and sheet pile installation

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Weekend work status update

Sound Transit's contractor is winding down the first phase of weekend closures. During the first phase (June 2017-November 2017), the contractor set out to complete a significant amount of underground utility work which needed to occur prior to construction of the guideway along Bellevue Way Southeast.

During the weekend closures, crews installed 21 Vaults, 8,000 linear feet of Ductbank, 2,200 linear feet of Water Main, 280 linear feet of Sanitary Sewer (20'+ Deep) and 270 linear feet of 36" Storm Drain.

During the next two weekends Sound Transit's contractor anticipates completing additional utility work and performing work to improve the roadway surface of Bellevue Way Southeast. The road surface of the northbound lanes will be removed and replaced with freshly laid hot mix asphalt. Material in the southbound lane crossings will also be removed and replaced with hot mix asphalt.

Beginning in early 2018, during phase two and three of construction on Bellevue Way Southeast, you can expect fewer closures with less frequency, and the closures will, for the most part, maintain traffic in both directions. The big exception to this will be three full closures near the end of the project. These full closures will be needed for final paving and striping of the roadway surface.

Weekend of Oct. 28 – 29 Bellevue Way SE reduced to one lane and ramps to I-90 closed

In order to perform utility relocation and pavement restoration this weekend, Sound Transit's contractor plans to close three lanes of Bellevue Way Southeast from 5:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 28th through 9 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 29th.

During the closure, Bellevue Way Southeast will be reduced to one northbound lane and access to I-90 will be prohibited. The eastbound I-90 ramp to Bellevue Way Southeast will also be closed. Westbound I-90 to northbound Bellevue Way Southeast will be maintained.

During the weekend closure, Sound Transit's contractor will continue work to install and relocate utilities along Bellevue Way Southeast.

Map of partial road closures on Bellevue Way Southeast south of 112 Avenue Southeast.

1. Northbound vehicles will travel in a temporary lane on Bellevue Way Southeast. Access to Sweyolocken Boat Launch will only be available from westbound I-90 to northbound Bellevue Way Southeast. Local access will be maintained to all residential driveways along Bellevue Way Southeast. Emergency access will be maintained.
2. Access from Bellevue Way Southeast to I-90 will be prohibited. The eastbound I-90 ramp to Bellevue Way Southeast will also be closed. Westbound I-90 to northbound Bellevue Way Southeast will be maintained.
3. Vehicle access and parking at the Temporary Mercer Slough Parking lot will not be available during the weekend closure.
4. The sidewalk on Bellevue Way Southeast in this area is closed; people biking and walking should seek alternate routes.
5. Bus stops on Bellevue Way Southeast, south of the Wye at 112th Avenue Southeast will be closed and riders will need to use alternate stops located on Bellevue Way Southeast, north of the Wye.
6. Detour to I-90 and I-405 via 112th Avenue Southeast and Southeast 8th.

Weekday construction traffic impacts: Week of Oct. 23 – Oct. 27

Monday- Friday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.: As needed, one northbound lane of Bellevue Way Southeast may be closed from the north end of the South Bellevue Station site to the Wye at 112th Avenue Southeast.

Monday-Friday 8 p.m. to 3 p.m.: Daily/overnight closure of the Bellevue Way Southeast to I-90 west HOV ramp. The duration of these closures may vary based on the needs of the contractor, but the ramps are expected to remain open from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Daily/overnight closures of the Bellevue Way Southeast to I-90 west HOV ramp are expected to continue on a regular basis throughout the project. During the closures the contractor is performing work to construct the columns and guideway.

Monday-Friday 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.: In order to complete utility work Sound Transit's contractor will close up to two lanes of 112th Avenue Southeast, between Main Street and Southeast 8th. Two way traffic will be maintained at all times. During the closures, the 24-hour sidewalk closure listed below may be adjusted and sidewalk access will be maintained on one side of the street. Flaggers and detour signs will help guide people walking, biking and driving.

Monday-Friday 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.: In order to complete utility work one southbound lane of Bellevue Way Southeast will be closed between the Wye at 112th and the Blueberry Farm. Upon completion of the work north of the Blueberry Farm, a similar closure of one southbound lane is expected between the main entrance to South Bellevue Station and Southeast 30th.

Reminder of ongoing closures

For information on previously announced long-term and ongoing closures click here.

  • Sidewalk closures and detours on Bellevue Way Southeast and 112th Avenue Southeast
  • Lane reductions on 112th Avenue Southeast
  • Closure of Southeast 15th at 112th Avenue Southeast
  • Winters House and Blueberry Farm Closure and new temporary lot

A look ahead

Sound Transit's contractor expects regular weekend closures to continue into November.

  • Weekend of Nov. 4-5: A full closure of Bellevue Way Southeast and all ramps between I-90 and Bellevue Way Southeast is expected.

Sheet pile installation

Preparation for soil stabilization work began in early August and Sound Transit's contractor has completed installation of the northern sheet pile barrier and a portion of the southern barrier near the intersection of 112th Avenue Southeast and Bellevue Way Southeast. Work to stabilize the soil with cement deep soil mixing (CDSM) is currently underway in the area adjacent to the norther barrier. Sound Transit's contractor plans to begin installation of the final section of the sheet pile barrier near the 112th Avenue Southeast and Bellevue Way Southeast. Installation is expected to resume during the week of Oct. 30th and continue for approximately three weeks.

What to expect: Crews will install large interlocking steel sheets into the ground. The final result will be a vertical interlocking system that creates a continuous wall. Sheets will be pushed into the ground by vibratory hydraulic hammers. Following the sheet pile installation, crews will begin CDSM work. CDSM uses an auger to drill into the soil, as the auger is retracted, a cement-like grout is injected, mixing with and stabilizing the existing soil. Crews will also setup a temporary concrete batch plant on site.

Work hours: Work is expected to occur between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday-Friday.

Heavy machinery: excavators, loaders, hydraulic vibratory hammers, drill rigs and compressors.

Noise: There will be noise from vibratory driving of the sheet piles and associated equipment, but only during daytime hours. During CDSM work, noise will be generated from the drill rig, batch plant and compressor.