Project updates
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 next week (updated information)

Publish Date

The contractor will continue to keep the northbound lane of traffic open on Martin Luther King Jr. Way from S. 11th St. to S. 9th St. this week, and will close MLK Jr. Way in both directions between S. 11th St. and S. 9th St. as soon as Monday, June 8.

In other areas, crews will start working on a water line on Pacific Avenue north of S. 7th St. The contractor will continue to install a sewer line on MLK Jr. Way from 6th Avenue to S. 8th St. On N. 1st St., crews will continue track installation, driveway and sidewalk work. On Division Ave., crews are installing track and foundations for Link power poles from Yakima Ave. to I St. 

Looking ahead, the contractor plans to install track on the west side of Stadium Way near I-705, closing the I-705 onramp, as soon as June 8. 

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 Pacific Avenue, Stadium Way, N. 1st Street, Yakima Avenue, Division Avenue, Martin Luther King Jr. Way, S. 7th Street,  S. 10th Street, S. 11th Street, and S. 17th Street

When

Week of June 1

Where

  • Martin Luther King Jr. Way from S. 9th St. to Earnest Brazill St. – southbound lane closure and then street closure from S. 9th St, to S. 11th St. Crews continue the track installation process on the west side of MLK Jr. Way from just south of S. 11th St to S. 9th St. This work includes removing asphalt, moving rail into place, pouring concrete around the rail, and paving. The southbound lane on MLK Jr. Way is closed from S. 9th St. to Earnest Brazill St. In addition, S. 11th St. and S. 10th St. are closed on the west side of MLK Jr. Way for a half-block to the alley. To access businesses on S. 10th St. west of MLK Jr. Way, please follow S. L Street.

    Later this week, the contractor will complete the track work on MLK Jr. Way from Earnest Brazill to S. 11th St., and will open that block on MLK Jr. Way as well as S. 11th St. Then, the contractor will close MLK Jr. Way in both directions from S. 11th St. to S. 9th St. for track installation. Crews will install track on the west side of MLK Jr. Way as far as S. 9th St. and then will turn around and install track on the east side of MLK Jr. Way from S. 9th St. going south. During the full street closure, S. 10th St. will be closed on either side of MLK Jr. Way for a half-block to the alleys. This street closure may start as soon as the afternoon of June 3 and take about 3-4 weeks.
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Way from S. 6th Avenue to S. 8th 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 6th Avenue to S. 7th Street. The southbound lane of MLK Jr. Way is closed from 6th Avenue to S. 8th Street. S. 7th St. is also closed on the west side of MLK Jr. for about a half block to the alley. Crews will continue to move south one block at a time and plan to work near S. 8th Street later this week. Please follow the detour routes on J St. to 6th Ave. to MLK Jr. Way. 
  • 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 take about 3-4 weeks.
  • N. 1st Street between Tacoma Avenue and Yakima Avenue – street closure. Crews are installing track, the platform for the Stadium District Station, curb, gutter and sidewalks on N. 1st St. between Tacoma Avenue and Yakima Avenue. 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.
  • 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 is closed at Division Ave.  
  • Stadium Way from Broadway to S. 4th St. -- southbound lane closure; use detours. Southbound Stadium Way is closed from Division Avenue to S. 4th St. as crews work on the traction power substation and the 4th Street Station. Stadium Way continues to be open northbound from I-705 to Tacoma Avenue. Please follow detour routes on Tacoma Avenue, St. Helens and Broadway, and consider alternate routes to access downtown and/or I-705. 

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. 
MLK 11th to 9th track install construction area map