Project updates
Learn about where and when construction is happening throughout the ST district.

Commerce Street and S. 9th Street intersection closed the weekend of June 25 for stormwater work

Publish Date

Crews will install a stormwater system in the Commerce Street and S. 9th Street intersection during the weekend of June 25. This intersection will closed on Friday, June 25 at 9 p.m. and open by Monday, June 28 at 5 a.m. Please follow the detour on S. 7th St., Pacific Ave., S. 11th St., and Market St. and allow a little extra time to reach your destination – thank you. After completing the work in the intersection, crews will continue installing the stormwater system on Commerce St. from S. 9th St. to S. 7th St. In addition, crews continue to install track, Link power poles, electrical systems, and curb and gutter on Commerce Street from S. 9th St. to I-705.

On E. 25th Street, crews are installing the cutover track, working around-the-clock (24-hour construction) until June 29. Because of this work, Tacoma Link is closed, and Sound Transit is providing a free shuttle bus to all Tacoma Link stations. Tacoma Link will open for service again on June 30.

On Martin Luther King Jr. Way, crews are installing curb and gutter on the east side of Martin Luther King Jr. Way from S. 19th St. to S. 16th St., and will move to the area between S. 16th St. and S. 13th St. next week. In addition, crews are installing signals at the S. 11th St. and MLK Jr. Way intersection. On Division Avenue, crews are installing signals from Yakima Avenue to MLK Jr. Way. 

Looking ahead, the contractor plans to install signals in the MLK Jr. Way and 6th Avenue intersection and track in the Stadium Way and Division Avenue intersection in mid-July.

COVID-19. The health and safety of all workers on Sound Transit’s construction sites are of utmost importance to us. Our contractors have primary responsibility for their wellbeing while working on our projects.  Sound Transit is actively working with the contractors and construction management teams on all our projects to assure that public health guidelines are being followed. 

What

Construction and traffic restrictions at Commerce Street, S. 9th Street, S. 7th Street, Martin Luther King Jr. Way, S. 18th Street, S. 17th Street, S. 11th Street, E. 25th Street, and Puyallup Avenue

When

Week of June 21

Where

  • Commerce Street and S. 9th Street intersection – closed the weekend of June 25. Crews will install a stormwater system in the Commerce St. and S. 9th St. intersection during the weekend of June 25. This intersection will close on Friday, June 25 at 9 p.m. and open by Monday, June 28 at 5 a.m. Please follow the detour on S. 7th St., Pacific Ave., S. 11th St., and Market St. and allow a little extra time to reach your destination – thank you. During the weekend, the work hours are Friday, June 25 from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m., and Sat, June 26 and Sun, June 27, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. The contractor obtained a noise variance from the City of Tacoma to work at night and start work at 7 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
  • Commerce Street from I-705 to S. 9th Street – southbound lane closure. Crews are installing track on Commerce St. from I-705 to the crosswalk north of the Theater District Station. The contractor is installing the underground electrical system and crossover tracks in the 7th St. intersection. Commerce St. is closed to southbound traffic between I-705 and S. 9th St. The northbound lane is open between S. 7th St. and I-705. Access to driveways and parking lots is maintained, or alternate parking is provided. From I-705, follow the detour north on Stadium Way or take an earlier exit.
  • Commerce Street from S. 9th St. to S. 7th St. – northbound lane closure during working hours. Crews are installing Link power poles, the underground electrical system and track on Commerce St. between S. 9th St. and S. 7th St. Northbound Commerce St. is closed to the travelling public from S. 9th St. to S. 7th St. during working hours. Commerce St. is open to local traffic to access driveways and parking garages/lots.
  • Division Avenue from Yakima Avenue to MLK Jr. Way – traffic restrictions. Crews are installing lighting along Division Avenue, starting at Yakima Avenue. The contractor may also install signals and foundations for signal poles in this area. Two-way traffic is maintained on Division Avenue. Sidewalks and crosswalks may close temporarily. Please follow the pedestrian detours – thank you. The contractor plans to move to the Division and J St. intersection after the 4th of July weekend.
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Way from S. 19th St. to S. 16th St. – northbound lane closure. Crews are installing curb and gutter on the east side of MLK Jr. Way from S. 19th St. to S. 16th St. The work also will include installing crosswalks and pavement across the cross streets. MLK Jr. Way is closed to northbound traffic from S. 19th St. to S. 16th St. In addition, S. 18th St., S. 17th St., and S. 16th St. are closed on the east side of MLK Jr. Way for a half block. Please follow the detour on S. J St. – thank you. This work is expected to last until late-June in this area, and then crews will continue north on MLK Jr. Way between S. 16th St. and S. 13th St. The contractor will work on Saturdays, starting at 7 a.m.
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Way and S. 11th St. intersection – traffic restrictions. Crews are installing signals, lighting and foundations for signal poles at the MLK Jr. Way and S. 11th St. intersection, working in a corner at a time. MLK Jr. Way and S. 11th St. are open to two-way traffic. The sidewalk may be closed on the corner where they’re working, so please follow the pedestrian detour. The signals and lighting work at this intersection is expected to take about two weeks, and then crews will do similar work at the Earnest Brazill St. and 6th Avenue intersections.
  • East 25th Street from McKinley Ave. to E. J St. – eastbound lane closure. Crews are installing cutover track on E. 25th St. from E. G St. to the Operations and Maintenance Facility. E. 25th St. is closed in both directions between E. G St. and McKinley Avenue E. Please follow the detour on Puyallup Avenue – thank you. This cutover track work will happen around-the-clock, day and night (24-hour construction) from June 20 to June 29. This work will temporarily close Tacoma Link from June 21 - 29. During this time, Sound Transit will provide free shuttle bus service to all the closed Tacoma Link stations. Tacoma Link will open again on June 30.
  • Puyallup Avenue at E. K Street – left lane closures. The contractor will be moving materials in and out of its laydown yard during the cutover track installation on E. 25th Street from June 20-30. This work will result in left lane closures at Puyallup Avenue and E. K Street from June 23-27. During these times, please follow E. M St. to access E. 25th St. 

More

  • Driveway and pedestrian access is maintained, although some sidewalks and crosswalks will be temporarily closed. Pedestrian detours will be in place. 
  • Buses will follow detour routes. Visit PierceTransit.org for information.
  • Construction noise related to underground utilities and track installation.
  • Large construction equipment or materials may be in the right-of-way.
  • Work will generally take place during the daytime hours unless otherwise noted. Daytime hours during the week are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. The contractor usually works less hours.
  • Businesses are open during construction.
  • Plan ahead and allow extra time to reach your destination.
  • Due to inclement weather or unforeseen issues, dates and times are subject to change.
Construction map for Commerce Street and South 9th Street closure, Hilltop Tacoma Link Extension