Construction at the Theater District Station on Commerce Street this week at night

Crews will remove part of the Theater District Station on Commerce Street this week, and will return next week to install Link power poles in the station area. The contractor will work at night this week (May 10-14 from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m.), and will work at night next week (May 17-22). During these nights, Commerce St. will be closed in both directions between S. 7th St. and S. 9th St. The contractor will restore the station area each night so the public can access the Theater District Station during the day. Tacoma Link will continue to operate on its regular schedule. During the day, crews are installing crossover tracks at Commerce St. and S. 7th St. and curb and gutter from S. 7th St. to I-705. 

On Division Avenue, crews are completing the track installation from Martin Luther King Jr. Way across I Street. Crews plan to open Division Avenue to two-way traffic as well as the J St and I St intersections by the end of the day on May 12. On E. 25th St., 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, as soon as May 13.

On Martin Luther King Jr. Way, crews are installing signals at the S. 15th St. intersection, tying-in the Link power poles to the electrical system from S. 15th St. to S. 7th St., and cleaning the rail from S. 16th St. going north. Two-way traffic is maintained on MLK Jr. Way. As soon as May 17, crews will start installing curb and gutter on the east side of MLK Jr. Way, beginning at S. 19th St. and going north. 

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.

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. The contractor is installing the underground electrical system and crossover tracks in the 7th St. 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 10-14. Crews will remove part of the Theater District Station tonight, working at night (May 10-14 from 11 pm to 4 am). Commerce St. will be closed in both directions between S. 9th St. to S. 7th St. during these nights. The contractor will restore the area each night so the public can access the Theater District Station during the day. Tacoma Link will continue to operate on its regular schedule. During the day, Commerce St. will be closed to thru-traffic and open to local traffic. Access to driveways and parking lots will be maintained. Crews plan to install Link power poles in the station area during the week of May 17 at night, and one pole during the day.
• Division Avenue from Martin Luther King Jr. Way to Yakima Avenue – eastbound lane closure. Crews are completing the track installation on Division Avenue from MLK Jr. Way across I St. This week, the contractor is paving and then will adjust utilities and paint traffic stripes on the street. The contractor plans to plans to open Division Ave to two-way traffic as well as the J and I St. intersections by the end of the day on Wed, May 12. In the meantime, 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. 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. 16th St. to S. 7th St. – traffic restrictions. This week, crews are installing signals at the S. 15th St. and MLK Jr. Way intersection, and tying the Link power poles into the electrical system on Martin Luther King Jr. Way between S. 15th St. and S. 7th St. In addition, another crew is cleaning the rail on MLK Jr. Way, starting at S. 16th 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.
• 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 Thursday, May 13, 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.