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

Installing overhead catenary wires on Martin Luther King Jr. Way from S. 19th St. to S. 15th St. starts this week

Publish Date
Construction map for Martin Luther King Jr Way from South 19th Street to South 15th Street Wire run, Hilltop Tacoma Link Extension
Construction map for Stadium Way and Division Avenue intersection closure, Hilltop Tacoma Link Extension

Crews will start installing the catenary wires over both sets of tracks along the route, starting on Martin Luther King Jr. Way from S. 19th Street to S. 15th Street this week. First crews will install the spans on the Link power poles on both sides of the street (this week), and then will pull the wire above the tracks (next week) in this area. Two-way traffic will be maintained on Martin Luther King Jr. Way. In addition, crews will continue installing curb and gutter on the east side of Martin Luther King Jr. Way from S. 16th St. to S. 13th St., and will start installing signals and lighting in the S. 9th St. and MLK Jr. Way intersection as soon as July 21.

In the Stadium District, crews are starting to install the remaining section of track on the west side of Stadium Way across Division Avenue. This work started today and will last until the end of August. During this time, Stadium Way will be closed to southbound traffic from Broadway to just south of Division Ave., and Division Ave. will be closed to thru-traffic from Broadway to Stadium Way. Stadium Way will be open to northbound traffic. Access is open to driveways. Please follow the detour on Tacoma Ave., St. Helens or Broadway and allow extra time to reach your destination – thank you.

In other areas, crews continue signal and lighting work at the MLK Jr. Way and 6th Avenue intersection. On Commerce Street, crews are installing track, underground electrical systems, curb, gutter and the platform for the Old City Hall Station. On E. 25th Street, crews are installing track, curb and gutter.

What

Construction and traffic restrictions at Commerce Street, S. 7th Street, Stadium Way, Division Avenue, Martin Luther King Jr. Way, 6th Avenue, S. 9th Street, and E. 25th Street

When

Week of July 19 

Where

  • Commerce Street from I-705 to S. 9th Street – southbound lane closure. Crews are installing track, the underground electrical system, curb, gutter, and the platform for the Old City Hall Station. 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. – closed to thru traffic. Crews are installing electrical systems and track on Commerce St. between S. 9th St. and S. 7th St. Northbound Commerce St. is open to local traffic to access driveways and parking garages/lots.
  • Stadium Way from Broadway to just south of Division Avenue – southbound lane closure. Crews are installing track on the west side of Stadium Way across Division Ave. Stadium Way is closed to southbound traffic from Broadway to just south of Division Ave. Northbound Stadium Way is open from I-705 to Tacoma Ave. Access is open to driveways. Please follow the detour on Tacoma Ave., St. Helens, and Broadway and allow a little extra time to reach your destination – thank you.
  • Division Avenue from Broadway to Stadium Way – closed to thru traffic. Crews are installing track on the west side of Stadium Way across Division Ave. Division Ave. is closed to thru-traffic from Broadway to Stadium Way, and open to access the driveway on Division Ave. Northbound Stadium Way is open from I-705 to Tacoma Ave. Please follow the detour on Tacoma Ave., St. Helens, and Broadway and allow a little extra time to reach your destination – thank you.
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Way and 6th Avenue intersection – traffic restrictions. Crews are installing lighting, traffic signals, and foundations for signal poles at the 6th Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Way intersection. The contractor will complete the underground work in this intersection this week, and then start the above ground work on about July 21. Two-way traffic will be maintained on Martin Luther King Jr. Way and 6th Avenue.
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Way and S. 9th Street intersection – traffic restrictions. Crews will start installing lighting, traffic signals, and foundations for signal poles at the St. 9th St. and MLK Jr. Way intersection, starting on July 21. Crews will first do the underground work, and then the above ground work. The underground work is expected to last until the end of July. After a short break, the contractor will start the above ground signals work on Aug. 6. Two-way traffic will be maintained on MLK Jr. Way and S. 9th St.
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Way from S. 16th St. to S. 13th St. – traffic restrictions. Crews are installing curb and gutter on the east side of MLK Jr. Way from S. 16th St. to S. 13th St. Martin Luther King Jr. Way is open to two-way traffic. Parking is not available on either side of the street in this area. The side streets may close, as work occurs across these streets or in the corners of an intersection.
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Way from S. 19th St. to S. 15th St. – traffic restrictions. Crews are starting to install the overhead catenary wires above the tracks on Martin Luther King Jr. Way from S. 19th St. to S. 15th St. Most of the work will happen above traffic or over the tracks. Two-way traffic will be maintained on MLK Jr. Way. Because workers will be working on both sides of the street near Link power poles, parking will not be available in this area on either side of the street.
  • East 25th Street from E. G St. to McKinley Ave. – street closure. Crews are installing track, and curb and gutter 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. 
  • East 25th Street from McKinley Ave. to E. J St. – eastbound lane closure. E. 25th St. is closed to eastbound traffic in front of the expanded Operations and Maintenance Facility for track installation, paving, and curb and gutter work. Please follow the detour on Puyallup Ave. 

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.