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

Track installation continues on Commerce Street between I-705 and S. 7th St.

Publish Date

The contractor continues the track installation process on Commerce Street between I-705 and the crosswalk north of the Theater District Station. Crews have been installing the underground electrical system, and will pull rail into place on Tuesday, March 23 at 9 a.m. 

At Martin Luther King Jr. Way and S. 17th Street, crews will resume underground electrical work, including tying-in the Link power poles to the electrical system. The contractor will start at S. 17th St. on March 25 and work north. Later, crews will install signals, lighting and foundations for signal poles.

The contractor is resuming construction on E. 25th St. near the Operations and Maintenance Facility. Crews first will install a stormwater line and water line for the OMF. At the Division Avenue and MLK Jr. Way intersection, construction has temporarily stopped to address a design issue. Access is open to hospitals, medical centers and the emergency department. To access Kaiser Permanente, please follow S. J St. to S. 3rd St. or MLK Jr. Way north to S. 3rd St. To access Jackson Hall, follow MLK Jr. Way south from Division Ave. 

Last week, crews completed the track installation on Martin Luther King Jr. Way between S. 10th St. and 6th Avenue, and opened the street to two-way traffic. This is the last track to be installed in Hilltop! Now there are two sets of track on MLK Jr. Way from S. 18th St. to S. 3rd St. 

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 Commerce Street, Division Avenue, Martin Luther King Jr. Way, S. 8th Street, S. 17th Street, and E. 25th Street

When

Week of March 22

Where

  • Commerce Street from I-705 to Theater District Station – street closure. Crews are installing track on Commerce St. from I-705 to the crosswalk north of the Theater District Station. The contractor has been installing the underground electrical vaults and raceway. Crews plan to pull rail into place on Tuesday, March 23. Commerce St. is closed in both directions in this area for about one month. Access to driveways is maintained. To enter the driveways, please travel north on Commerce St. from S. 9th St. and follow the flagger's directions. The detour route from I-705 is Stadium Way north to Broadway, Tacoma Avenue or St. Helens or take an earlier exit (City Center exit). Please allow extra time to reach your destination – thank you.
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Way from S. 3rd Street to Division Avenue – northbound lane closure. Crews are installing the curved track in the Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Division Avenue intersection. The contractor will also install sidewalks, curb and gutter and other flatwork. This work has temporarily stopped to address a design issue. MLK Jr. Way is closed to northbound traffic from S. 3rd St. to Division Ave., and Division Ave. is closed to eastbound traffic from MLK Jr. Way to J St. To access Kaiser Permanente, please follow S. J St. to S. 3rd St. or MLK Jr. Way north to S. 3rd St. To access the Jackson parking garage, follow MLK Jr. Way south from Division Ave. Access is open to hospitals, medical centers and the emergency department. Please allow extra time to reach your destination – thank you.
  • Division Avenue from Martin Luther King Jr. Way to S. J St. – eastbound lane closure. Crews are installing the curved track in the Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Division Avenue intersection and the straight track on Division Ave to S. J St. This work has temporarily stopped to address a design issue. Division Ave. is closed to eastbound traffic from MLK Jr. Way to J St. Westbound traffic is open on Division Avenue, including left turns at I St., J St., and MLK Jr. Way. To access Kaiser Permanente, please follow S. J St. to S. 3rd St. or MLK Jr. Way north to S. 3rd St. Access is open to hospitals, medical centers and the emergency department. Please allow extra time to reach your destination – thank you.
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Way at S. 8th Street – traffic restrictions. Crews are adjusting utilities in the MLK Jr. Way and S. 8th St. intersection. Two-way traffic is maintained on MLK Jr. Way. This work is expected to be completed this week.
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Way at S. 17th Street – traffic restrictions. Crews are tying-in the Link power poles to the electrical system, starting on March 25 at MLK Jr. Way at S. 17th St. and working north. Two-way traffic will be maintained for this work. Sidewalks or crosswalks may be closed from time to time. Please follow the pedestrian detour – thank you. The contractor will be working on several phases of electrical work in this area, and will return to install signals, lighting, and foundations for signal poles. Crews will do signal work at S. 17th St., S. 15th St., and S. 13th St. intersections.
  • East 25th Street from McKinley Ave. to E. J St. – eastbound lane closure. Crews will resume construction on E. 25th St. near the Operations and Maintenance Facility this week. Crews will install a stormwater line, water line and curb and gutter near the OMF. Then crews will continue the track installation. E. 25th St. is closed to eastbound traffic between McKinley Ave. 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 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 Commerce Street closure and detours.