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

N. Tacoma Avenue and N. 1st Street intersection closes on Jan. 22 for three weeks to install track

Publish Date

The N. Tacoma Ave. and N. 1st St. intersection will be completely closed to install track across Tacoma Ave. on N. 1st St. to approximately the Stadium Thriftway’s driveway, starting as soon as Jan. 22. Crews will install two sets of track. Track installation includes removing asphalt, grading, moving the rail into place, and pouring concrete around the rail. The track installation last about three weeks, including working on weekends. Follow detours on N. 2nd Street, Yakima Avenue, and Division Avenue. Stadium Way/N. E Street north of Division Ave. is open to local traffic for residences, businesses and Stadium High School – please turn left onto Broadway.

In other areas, the contractor will continue to do utility work on Martin Luther King Jr. Way from Division Avenue to S. 3rd Street and on MLK Jr. Way at S. 14th Street. Crews are working on traffic signals at MLK Jr. Way and S. 15th Street, and are potholing on Division Avenue. On Stadium Way, crews continue to install track and foundations for Link power poles and build the traction power substation on the west side of Stadium Way north of S. 4th Street.

Looking ahead, the contractor plans to install track on Martin Luther King Jr. Way at S. 18th Street as soon as the week of Jan. 27.

What

Construction and traffic restrictions on N. 1st Street, N. Tacoma Avenue, Martin Luther King Jr. Way, S. 15th Street, S. 14th Street,  S. 17th Street, and Stadium Way 

When

Week of Jan. 21

Where

N. Tacoma Avenue and N. 1st Street intersection – lane closure and then intersection closure. Track installation at N. Tacoma Avenue and N. 1st Street will start on Jan. 22 and last about three weeks, including working on weekends. During this time, the intersection will be completely closed. Please follow detours on N. 2nd St., Yakima Avenue, and Division Ave. Stadium Way/N. E Street north of Division Ave. is open to local traffic for residences, businesses and Stadium High School – please turn left onto Broadway. The contractor obtained a noise variance from the City of Tacoma to start at 5 a.m. on Jan. 22 to set up traffic control and to start at 7 a.m. on weekends. Parking will not be available in the intersection area, but will be available on the rest of Tacoma Ave. and N. 1st St. Sidewalks will be open. Please walk across the streets at temporary crosswalks and follow flagger’s directions. The Columbia Bank’s driveway and drive-thru will be open. Driveways to the Stadium Thriftway will be open. To access the Rankos and Platinum Salon’s parking lots, take N. 2nd St. to E St. (the alley behind the businesses). For bus detour information, please visit Pierce Transit’s website: piercetransit.org.

Currently, crews are installing a catch basin in N. 1st St. near Salamone’s Pizza. N. 1st St. is closed to eastbound traffic from Tacoma Ave. to N. G St. The westbound lane on N. 1st St. (coming up the hill from Stadium Way) will be open. This work is expected to take two to three days. In addition, crews are installing traffic signals in the crosswalks in the N. Tacoma Ave. and N. 1st St. intersection (near the Harvester, Rankos and Columbia Bank). 

Martin Luther King Jr. Way from Division Ave. to S. 3rd St. – southbound lane closure. Crews will install a new sewer line on the west side of MLK Jr. Way from Division Ave. to S. 3rd St. The southbound lane of MLK Jr. Way is closed at Division Ave., and open to northbound traffic from the Baker Center to Division Ave. Please follow the detour routes on J St. to 6th Ave. to MLK Jr. Way. The sidewalk is open south of Jackson Hall but closed north. Flaggers will assist pedestrians as well as vehicles entering and exiting the Jackson Hall parking garage. Access to the hospitals and medical centers is open. Please allow an extra 15 minutes to get to your appointment. 

S. 14th Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Way – northbound lane closure. Crews are installing a stormwater pipe across MLK Jr. Way at S. 14th St. The northbound lane on MLK Jr. Way is closed, and S. 14th St. is closed on both sides of MLK Jr. Way for about a half block to the alley. This work is expected to take another week. Then, the crew will move to the MLK Jr. Way and S. 13th St. intersection. 

Martin Luther King Jr. Way and S. 15th Street – lane restriction. Crews are working on traffic signals and lighting on MLK Jr. Way at S. 15th St. Two-way traffic is maintained on MLK Jr. Way.

Division Avenue between MLK Jr. Way and Yakima Ave – lane restriction. Crews are potholing and then will install foundations for Link power poles on Division Avenue. Two-way traffic is maintained on Division.

Division Avenue near S. G Street – lane restriction. Rail strands are stored in the street right-of-way on the east side of Division Avenue near Wright Park. Ultimately, crews will install this rail in N. 1st St. and Division Ave. Two-way traffic is maintained on Division Ave.

Martin Luther King Jr. Way from S. 18th to S. 16th Streets – lane restriction. Rail strands are stored in the street right-of-way on the east side of MLK Jr. Way in between S. 16th and S. 18th Streets. Ultimately, crews will install this rail in MLK Jr. Way. During rail storage, S. 17th St. east of MLK Jr. Way is closed. Two-way traffic is maintained on MLK Jr. Way. Track installation is anticipated to start on MLK Jr. Way near S. 18th St. as early as Jan 27.

Stadium Way from Broadway to the 705 onramp -- southbound lane closure; use detours. Crews continue to install foundations for Link power poles on the east side of Stadium Way from Division Ave. to the 705 onramp. Stadium Way is closed to southbound traffic from Broadway to the 705 onramp. Please follow detour routes on St. Helens, Tacoma Avenue and Broadway, and consider alternate routes to access downtown and/or the 705. Stadium Way continues to be open northbound from the 705 to Tacoma Avenue with left turns at S. 4th St. and Division Ave. Commerce St. also is open to two-way traffic. To access parking garages and driveways on Stadium Way, please travel north on Commerce Street or north on Stadium Way from the 705 off-ramp. 

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.
  • 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 detours, lane closures and open lanes around North Tacoma Avenue and North 1st Street.