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

Construction near the Theater District Station on Commerce Street: May 1-3 at night

Publish Date

In May, crews will do several construction activities at night near the Theater District Station on Commerce Street. First, the contractor will pothole near the existing station and S. 9th St. on the nights of Saturday, May 1 and Sunday, May 2 (and Monday, May 3, if needed). Commerce St. will be closed between S. 7th St. and S. 9th St. during these nights. The contractor will return to remove part of the Theater District Station (May 10-14 at night) and install foundations for Link power poles in the station area (May 17-21 at night). On Commerce St. north of the Theater District Station, crews continue the track installation process and will excavate across S. 7th St. this week. Commerce St. is open to northbound traffic between S. 7th St. and I-705.

On Martin Luther King Jr. Way, crews will start installing pedestrian signals at S. 18th St. and will continue the Link power pole tie-ins from S. 17th St. to S. 15th St. Crews also will clean the rail, starting on the east side of MLK Jr. Way at S. 18th St. and going north. “No parking” signs will be put up in advance of the rail cleaning. Please look at the dates on the signs – you may park there during the times not listed on the signs. On Division Avenue, crews continue to install track across J Street and I Street.

On E. 25th St., the contractor is installing track, curb and gutter near the expanded Operations and Maintenance Facility. As soon as May 10, the contractor will close E. 25th St. in both directions between E. G St. and McKinley Ave. E. (one block) to continue the track installation. 

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. 7th Street, Division Avenue, S. J Street, S. I Street, Martin Luther King Jr. Way, and E. 25th Street

When

Week of April 26

Where

  • Commerce Street from I-705 to Theater District Station – southbound lane closure. Crews are installing track on Commerce St. from I-705 to the crosswalk north of the Theater District Station. This week, the contractor will excavate across S. 7th St. and then install the underground electrical system and crossover tracks in this intersection. In addition, crews will install curb, gutter and drainage on the west side of Commerce St. between S. 7th St. and I-705. Commerce St. is closed to southbound traffic between I-705 and the crosswalk north of the station, and S. 7th St. is closed at Commerce St. The northbound lane is open between S. 7th St. and I-705. Access to driveways and parking lots is maintained. To enter the Diamond parking lot on Commerce St., please follow S. 7th St. Please allow extra time to reach your destination – thank you. The contractor plans to work in this area on Commerce St. for another 8 weeks.
  • Commerce Street from S. 9th St. to S. 7th St. – street closed at night, May 1-3. Crews will pothole near the existing Theater District Station and south of S. 9th St. at night during the weekend of May 1. The work hours are Saturday, May 1, 11 pm to 8:30 am, Sunday, May 2, 7 pm to 4 am, and Monday, May 3, 11 pm to 4 am (if needed). Commerce St. will be closed in both directions between S. 9th St. to S. 7th St. during these nights. Tacoma Link will continue to operate on its regular schedule. Traffic conditions may change as the work progresses.
  • Division Avenue from Martin Luther King Jr. Way to Yakima Avenue – eastbound lane closure. Crews are installing track on Division Avenue from MLK Jr. Way across I St.  This week, the contractor plans to pour concrete around the tracks on Tuesday and Thursday. Division Ave. is closed to eastbound traffic from MLK Jr. Way to Yakima Ave., and both I St. and J St. are closed south of Division Ave. for about a half-block. These traffic conditions with both J St. and I St. closed at Division Ave. will be in place for about three weeks. To complete this work as quickly as possible, the contractor will work on Saturdays on Division Avenue, starting as early as 7 a.m. Please follow the detour on MLK Jr. Way, 6th Avenue and St. Helens and allow a little extra time to reach your destination – thank you.
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Way from S. 18th St. to S. 15th St. – traffic restrictions. This week, crews are tying the Link power poles into the electrical system on Martin Luther King Jr. Way between S. 17th St. and S. 15th St. In addition, another crew is cleaning the rail on MLK Jr. Way, starting at S. 18th St. going north. The contractor will put up no parking signs in advance of the cleaning. Please look at the dates on the signs. You can park there during the times not listed on the signs. Two-way traffic is maintained on MLK Jr. Way and the side streets. In addition, the contractor is installing push button pedestrian signals at MLK Jr. Way and S. 18th St. Sidewalks or crosswalks may be closed from time to time. Please follow the pedestrian detour – thank you. Later, crews will install signals and foundations for signal poles at the S. 18th St., S. 17th St., S. 15th St. and S. 13th St. intersections.
  • East 25th Street from McKinley Ave. to E. J St. – eastbound lane closure. Crews are installing track, curb and gutter near the Operations and Maintenance Facility on E. 25th St. As soon as Monday, May 10, the contractor will continue the track installation on E. 25th St. to E. G St. At that time, E. 25th St. will be closed in both directions between E. G St. and McKinley Avenue E. Please follow the detour on Puyallup Avenue. 

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 of Commerce Street, Hilltop Tacoma Link Extension