Pouring concrete around the rail on Martin Luther King Jr. Way from S. 18th to S. 17th streets this week

On Martin Luther King Jr. Way, the contractor is installing track from S. 18th Street to S. 15th Street. On Monday, crews moved rail into place between S. 18th St. and S. 17th St. Crews plan to pour concrete around the rail this week - currently scheduled for Feb. 20 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. During that time, MLK Jr. Way will be closed in both directions between S. 16th St. and S. 19th St. Please follow the detour on S. J St. 

In other areas on Martin Luther King Jr. Way, crews continue to work on signals and lighting at Earnest Brazil Street, install foundations for Link power poles between 9th Street and 15th Street, and install underground utilities near S. 3rd Street. 

Stadium Way is expected to be open to two-way traffic between S. 4th St. and I-705 by the end of this week. Northbound traffic on Stadium Way is open from I-705 to Tacoma Avenue. On N. 1st Street, crews are abandoning utilities, resulting in one lane of traffic open on N. 1st St. The Tacoma Avenue and N. 1st St. intersection is open, and people can travel on the street with the newly installed track.

Looking ahead, the contractor will start installing track across Division Avenue at Stadium Way next week. The contractor also plans to install track on N. 1st St. in early March.  

What

Construction and traffic restrictions on N. 1st Street, Division Avenue, Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Earnest Brazill Street, S. 17th Street, S. 16th Street, Stadium Way, and Commerce Street 

When

Week of Feb. 17

Where

Martin Luther King Jr. Way from S. 19th to S. 15th Streets – southbound lane closure and full street closure. Crews moved rail into place on Martin Luther King Jr. Way from S. 18th Street to S. 17th Street. Crews continue the track installation process on MLK Jr. Way going north. The southbound lane on MLK Jr. Way is closed from S. 15th St. to S. 19th St. The contractor plans to pour concrete around the rail on Thursday, Feb. 20 from 9 am to 3 p.m. During this time, MLK Jr. Way will be closed in both directions from S. 16th St. to S. 19th St. In addition, S. 16th St. and S. 17th St. are closed on the west side of MLK Jr. Way to the alley. Please follow the detour on S. J St.

In addition, rail strands are stored in the street right-of-way on the east side of MLK Jr. Way 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. 

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

Martin Luther King Jr. Way from S. 13th St. to S. 9th St – lane restriction. Crews are installing foundations for Link power poles on MLK Jr. Way between S. 13th St. and S. 11th St. Two-way traffic is maintained on MLK Jr. Way.

Martin Luther King Jr. Way from Division Ave. to S. 3rd St. – southbound lane closure. Because of utility work, 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. Access to the hospitals and medical centers is open. Please allow an extra 15 minutes to get to your appointment.

N. 1st Street – lane closure. The contractor is removing or filling in abandoned utilities on N. 1st St., closing one lane of traffic. Crews will work on one side of the street and then the other side, changing the closed lane of traffic. This utility abandonment work is expected to last this week and next week. The Tacoma Ave. and N. 1st St. intersection is open, and people can travel on the street with the newly installed track. In early March crews plan to install the next section of track on N. 1st St.

Stadium Way from Broadway to S. 4th St. -- southbound lane closure; use detours. Stadium Way is expected to open to two-way traffic between S. 4th St. and I-705 by the end of this week. Southbound Stadium Way will continue to be closed from Division Avenue to S. 4th St. as crews install track and foundations for Link power poles as well as work on the traction power substation. 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. 

Commerce Street from 9th Street to 7th Street – lane restriction. Crews are potholing and installing foundations for Link power poles on Commerce Street from S. 9th St. to S. 7th St. Two-way traffic is maintained on Commerce 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.