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

Martin Luther King Jr. Way closes in both directions from S. 11th Street to S. 9th Street for track installation this week

Publish Date

Crews are installing track on the west side of Martin Luther King Jr. Way from S. 11th St. to S. 9th St. Starting as soon as June 15, they will turn around and install track on the east side of MLK Jr. Way from S. 9th St. going south. To do the "track turnaround" faster, crews will close Martin Luther King Jr. Way in both directions between S. 11th St. and S. 9th St. This work will last about three to four weeks.

In other areas, crews are installing track on the west side of Stadium Way near I-705, closing the I-705 onramp at Stadium Way. Crews continue installing a sewer line on MLK Jr. Way from S. 7th Street to S. 9th St. On N. 1st St., crews are working on track drains and forming and pouring concrete for the Stadium District station. On Division Ave., crews are installing track, signals and foundations for Link power poles from Yakima Ave. to I St. In addition, the contractor is working on a water line on Pacific Avenue north of S. 7th St. 

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 on Stadium Way, I-705 onramp, Commerce Street, Pacific Avenue, N. 1st Street, Division Avenue, Martin Luther King Jr. Way, S. 8th Street,  S. 10th Street, S. 15th Street, S. 17th Street, E. 25th Street

When

Week of June 15

Where

Martin Luther King Jr. Way from S. 9th St. to S. 11th Street – street closure. Crews continue the track installation process on the west side of MLK Jr. Way from S. 11th St to S. 9th St., and will turn around to the east side of Martin Luther King Jr. Way from S. 9th St. to S. 11th St. During this track turnaround time, they will be working on both sides of MLK Jr. Way, and MLK Jr. Way will be closed in both directions from S. 9th St. to S. 11th St. for about 3-4 weeks. In addition, S. 10th St. is closed on either side of MLK Jr. Way for a half-block to the alleys. This work includes removing asphalt, moving rail into place, pouring concrete around the rail, and paving. To access businesses on S. 10th St. west of MLK Jr. Way, please follow S. L Street. Please follow detours on S. J St.

I-705 onramp at Stadium Way – onramp closure. The I-705 onramp at Stadium Way is closed as crews install track on Stadium Way/Commerce Street across from the onramp. To access I-705, please follow S. 9th Street. To access Commerce Street, please take the Center City exit, or follow the detour north on Stadium Way to Tacoma Ave., Broadway or St. Helens. The I-705 off ramp at Stadium Way is open for northbound traffic on Stadium Way. The onramp closure will last until about June 28. After that, crews will install track on the east side of Stadium Way near I-705, which will close both the I-705 ramps starting on June 29 for about 4 weeks.

Stadium Way from Broadway to I-705 -- southbound lane closure; use detours. Southbound Stadium Way is closed to thru-traffic from Division Avenue to the I-705 as crews install track on Stadium Way near I-705, and work on the traction power substation and the 4th Street Station. A southbound lane is open from S. 4th St. to just north of I-705 to access parking garages on Stadium Way. Stadium Way continues to be open northbound from I-705 to Tacoma Avenue with turns at S. 4th St. and Division Ave. Please follow detour routes on Tacoma Avenue, St. Helens and Broadway, and consider alternate routes to access downtown and/or I-705.

Commerce Street between S. 7th Street and I-705 – street closure. Commerce Street is closed in both directions between S. 7th Street and I-705, as crews install track on Commerce Street/Stadium Way near I-705. To access Commerce Street between S. 9th St. and S. 7th St., please take the Center City exit, or follow the detour north on Stadium Way to Tacoma Ave., Broadway or St. Helens. Looking ahead, the contractor plans to do potholing on Commerce St. between S. 9th St. and S. 7th St. next week.

Pacific Avenue north of S. 7th Street – lane restriction. Crews are installing a water line on Pacific Avenue north of S. 7th St. Crews will first pothole and then dig trenches and install pipes underground. Two-way traffic is maintained on Pacific Ave. This work is expected to be completed later this week.

N. 1st Street between Tacoma Avenue and Yakima Avenue – street closure. This week, crews are installing track drains and forming and pouring concrete for the Stadium District station platform. N. 1st St. is closed in both directions from the driveway at Stadium Thriftway to Yakima Avenue. N. G St. is closed at N. 1st St. but otherwise is open. Follow detours on N. 2nd St., N. I St., and Division Ave. The contractor obtained a noise variance from the City of Tacoma to work on Saturdays, starting at 7 a.m. Crews will work on most Saturdays, starting at 7 a.m., over the coming weeks. This N. 1st St. work is expected to continue into July.

Division Avenue between Yakima Avenue and I Street – lane restriction. Crews are installing track on Division Avenue near the Shell Gas Station up to Cosmonaut Coffee, and are installing foundations for Link power poles. Yakima Avenue at Division Avenue is planned to open this week. Crews continue stormwater work at Division and S. J St.

Martin Luther King Jr. Way from S. 7th Street to S. 9th Street – southbound lane closure. Crews continue to install sewer pipes and structures on the west side of Martin Luther King Jr. Way, moving to the area between S. 7th Street to S. 9th Street. The southbound lane of MLK Jr. Way is closed from S. 7th Street to S. 9th Street. S. 8th St. is also closed on the west side of MLK Jr. for about a half block to the alley. Please follow the detour routes on J St. to 6th Ave. to MLK Jr. Way. 

Martin Luther Way at S. 15th Street – lane restriction. Crews are doing signal and lighting work at S. 15th St. and MLK Jr. Way. After completing signal work in this intersection, they will do signal work at the Earnest Brazill St. and MLK Jr. Way intersection.

East 25th Street from McKinley Ave. to E. J Street – lane restriction. Crews will install foundations for Link power poles on East 25th Street near the expanded Operations and Maintenance Facility. They will start by potholing on E. 25th St. between McKinley Ave. to E. J St. Two-way traffic is maintained on 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 replacing the underground utilities and installing track.
  • 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.
Map of track installation on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive between South 9th Street to South 11th Street in Tacoma.