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

Martin Luther King Jr. Way from Division Ave. to S. 3rd St. to open by Dec. 18

Publish Date

Crews continue installing track on the east side of Martin Luther King Jr. Way from Division Avenue to S. 5th Street near Kaiser Permanente and Tacoma General. The contractor plans to complete the track installation from Division Ave. to S. 3rd St. by the end of this week, and open MLK Jr. Way to two-way traffic between Division Ave. and S. 3rd St. by Dec. 18. Starting on Dec. 21, the track installation will move across 5th St. to 6th Ave. Access is open to hospitals, medical centers and the emergency department. Please allow extra time to reach your appointment – thank you. 

Crews continue to install track on the east side of MLK Jr. Way from S. 17th St. to S. 19th St., and this work will continue until Dec. 30. The contractor also is installing track on E. 25th St. near the Operations and Maintenance Facility. Crews may close the alley west of MLK Jr. Way from S. 15th St. to S. 16th St. to work on the traction power substation on Dec. 15 and 16. 

Looking ahead, crews plan to start installing a sewer line on Commerce St. from S. 9th St. to the crosswalk near the Theater District Station as soon as Jan. 4.

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 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, S. 3rd Street, S. 17th Street, S. 18th Street, and E. 25th Street.

When

Week of December 14

Where

  • Martin Luther King Jr. Way from Division Avenue to S. 5th Street – northbound lane closure. Crews are installing track on the east side of Martin Luther King Jr. Way from Division Avenue to S. 5th Street. The northbound lane of MLK Jr. Way from S. 5th St. to Division Ave. is closed, and S. 3rd St. is closed east of MLK Jr. Way to Kaiser Permanente’s driveway. To access Kaiser Permanente, please follow S. J St. to S. 3rd St. to their parking garage and front entrance. A right-hand only turn is available from Kaiser onto MLK Jr. Way north to Division Ave. To access Tacoma General’s Emergency Department, follow MLK Jr. Way north from 6th Ave., south from Division Ave., or east on 5th St. The detour route is S. J St. Please allow extra time to reach your appointment – thank you. The track installation from Division Ave. to S. 3rd St. is expected to be completed by the end of this week with MLK Jr. Way opening to two-way traffic between Division Ave. and S. 3rd St. by Dec. 18. As soon as Dec. 21, crews will continue the track installation across S. 5th St. to 6th Ave.
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Way from S. 17 St. to S. 19th St. – street closure and intersection closures. Crews are installing track on the east side of Martin Luther King Jr. Way from S. 17th St. to S. 19th St. Crews will excavate, bring rail into place, pour concrete around the rail, and pave. Martin Luther King Jr. Way is closed in both directions from S. 19th St. to S. 17th St., and S. 17th St., and S. 18th St. are closed east of MLK Jr. Way to the alley. Please follow the detour on S. J St. This work is expected to continue until Dec. 30.
  • East 25th Street from E. G St. to E. J St. – eastbound lane closure. Crews are installing track on E. 25th St. near the Operations and Maintenance Facility, closing E. 25th St. to eastbound traffic between E. G St. and E. J St. 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 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.
  • 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 for Martin Luther King Jr way from Division Ave to S 5th St closures, Hilltop Tacoma Link Extension
Construction map for Martin Luther King Jr way from S 3rd St to S 6th St closures, Hilltop Tacoma Link Extension