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

S. 11th St. closes east of Martin Luther King Jr. Way for track installation

Publish Date

Crews continue installing track on the east side Luther King Jr. Way, moving one block south between S. 10th Street and Earnest Brazill Street. As soon as June 30, MLK Jr. Way will open to southbound traffic between S. 9th St. and S. 11th St., and S. 10th St. will open on the west side of MLK Jr. Way. At the same time, the contractor will close S. 11th St. east of MLK Jr. Way for a half-block to the alley. In addition, on July 6, crews plan to close Earnest Brazill St. east of MLK Jr. Way for a half-block to the alley.

In other areas, crews continue to install track on Stadium Way near I-705, and the I-705 ramps at Stadium Way are closed. On N. 1st St., crews are working on curb and gutter and adjusting utilities this week. N 1st St. will open to two-way traffic on July 8. The contractor is installing a water line at the intersection of Division Avenue and MLK Jr. Way, and continues to install a sewer line on MLK Jr. Way from S. 7th St. to S. 9th St. Crews will not work during the 4th of July weekend, July 3-5.

Looking ahead, the contractor plans to install track in front of Stadium High School, closing Stadium Way/N. E St. from just north of Division Avenue to Tacoma Avenue as soon as July 6.

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 I-705 ramps, Stadium Way, Commerce Street, N. 1st Street, Division Avenue, Martin Luther King Jr. Way, S. 8th Street, S. 10th Street, S. 11th Street, Earnest Brazill Street, S. 15th Street, and S. 17th Street.

When

Week of June 29

Where

I-705 ramps at Stadium Way – ramps closure. The I-705 on-ramp and off-ramp are closed at Stadium Way for track installation. This work includes installing underground electrical vaults, removing asphalt, moving rail into place, pouring concrete around the rail, and paving. Please exit I-705 at an earlier exit, such as the City Center or S. 21st St/S.R. 509 exits. Otherwise, the detour is Schuster Parkway to McCarver Street in Old Town. The I-705 ramps closure is expected to last 3-4 weeks. Please allow extra time to reach your destination.

Stadium Way is not be open to thru-traffic from S. 4th Street to I-705, but is open for local access to and from parking garages, including turns at S. 4th St. and Division Ave. In addition, Commerce St. will continue to be closed in both directions from S. 7th St. to I-705.

Stadium Way from S. 4th Street to I-705 – street closure; use detours. Stadium Way is closed to thru-traffic from S. 4th Street to the I-705 as crews install track on Stadium Way near I-705. Lanes are open for residents to access parking garages on Stadium Way, but there is no access to I-705. Stadium Way is open northbound from S. 4th St. 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.

N. 1st Street between Tacoma Avenue and Yakima Avenue – street closure. This week, crews are working on curb and gutter and adjusting utilities on N. 1st St. 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. 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. N. 1st St. is planned to open to two-way traffic on July 8. The contractor may close N. 1st St. on July 11 (just for that day) to paint stripes on the street, starting at 7 a.m.

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 Division Ave. to S. 3rd St. – southbound lane closure. Crews are installing a water line on Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Division Ave. The southbound lane of MLK Jr. Way will be closed. This work is expected to take four days. Please follow the detour on S. J St. Then Tacoma Water will make the water service connections to customers.

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 King Jr. Way from S. 9th St. to S. 11th Street – northbound lane closure and intersection closure. Crews will continue installing track on the east side Luther King Jr. Way, moving one block south between S. 10th Street and Earnest Brazill Street. As soon as June 30, MLK Jr. Way will open to southbound of Martin traffic between S. 9th St. and S. 11th St., and S. 10th St. will open on the west side of MLK Jr. Way. At the same time, the contractor will close S. 11th St. east of MLK Jr. Way for a half-block to the alley. In addition, on July 6, crews plan to close Earnest Brazill St. east of MLK Jr. Way for a half-block to the alley. S. 11th St. east of MLK Jr. Way will be closed for about 2-3 weeks. Please follow the detour on S. J St.

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.

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. Way between South 10th Street and Earnest Brazill Street.