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

Track installation continues on Martin Luther King Jr. Way, extending from S. 15th St. to S. 19th St. this week

Publish Date

Crews will continue installing track on the east side of Martin Luther King Jr. Way from S. 15th St. going south to S. 19th St. As soon as Tuesday, Oct. 20, the contractor will excavate across S. 18th St., which will close S. 18th St. east of MLK Jr. Way to the alley. In addition, MLK Jr. Way will be closed to northbound traffic from S. 19th St. to S. 15th St. Please follow the detour on S. J St. and allow a little extra time to reach your destination. Looking ahead, the contractor plans to close MLK Jr. Way in both directions from S. 19th St. to S. 17th St. for track work in early November. We will provide more information soon.

The contractor continues to install Link power poles along the route and will install these poles on N. 1st St. on Oct. 21 and 22 at night (from about 7 pm to 5 am). Crews continue to install track on Division Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Way to S. 3rd St., MLK Jr. Way from S. 9th St. to 6th Ave., and in the Stadium curve. The contractor continues working on traction power substations on Stadium Way, S. 8th Street, and near S. 15th Street, and will begin work on the traction power substation on N. 2nd Street soon.

Martin Luther King Jr. Way is open to two-way traffic between S. 3rd St. and 6th Avenue with track installed on the west side of the street. Looking ahead, the contractor plans to install stormwater and water utilities on N. 2nd St. as soon as Oct. 26, and plans to do potholing and utility work on Commerce St. (not scheduled yet).

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 Stadium Way, Division Avenue, N. K Street, Martin Luther King Jr. Way, S. 7th Street, S. 8th Street, S. 9th Street, S. 16th Street, S. 17th Street, and S. 18th Street.

When

Week of October 19

Where

  • Stadium Way/N. E St./N. 1st St. from north of Division Avenue to Broadway – street closure. Stadium Way/N. E Street/N. 1st Street is completely closed from just north of Division Avenue to Broadway.  The contractor is installing track on both sides of the street near Stadium High School. Crews still need to pave this area and install additional Link power poles. The contractor obtained a noise variance from the City of Tacoma and can work on Saturdays, starting at 7 a.m. Detour routes to and from downtown include Tacoma Ave., Broadway and St. Helens.
  • Stadium Way from Division Ave. to S. 4th St. – southbound lane closure. Crews are working on the traction power substation along Stadium Way. Crews recently installed some Link power poles along Stadium Way and may return in late October to install additional poles. Stadium Way is closed to southbound traffic from Division Ave. to S. 4th St, and Stadium Way is open northbound from I-705 to Division 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. 
  • Division Avenue between J Street and N. K Street/Martin Luther King Jr. Way – lane closure and street closure. Crews continue installing track on Division Avenue from J Street to N. K St./Martin Luther King Jr. Way. Division Ave is closed to westbound traffic from J St. to just west of N. K St. MLK Jr. Way is closed in both directions between Division Ave. and S. 3rd St. Please follow detours on I St., N. 3rd St., 6th Avenue, and MLK Jr. Way. Please access Kaiser Permanente’s driveway and parking garage from S. 3rd St. S. 3rd St. is open to two-way traffic between S. J St. and Kaiser Permanente’s driveway.
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Way from S. 9th Street to 6th Avenue – southbound lane closure. Crews are installing track on the west side of Martin Luther King Jr. Way, starting in the S. 9th St. and MLK Jr. Way intersection going north to 6th Avenue. Crews will excavate, place the rail, pour concrete around the rail, and pave. On Wed, Oct. 21, the contractor plans to pull the rail into place at S. 9th St. starting at 5 a.m. The southbound lane on MLK Jr. Way is closed between 6th Avenue and S. 9th St. In addition, S. 9th St., S. 8th St., and S. 7th St. are closed on the west side of MLK Jr. Way to the alley. Please follow the detour route on S. J St. Please follow the detour on S. J St., 6th Ave., Sprague Ave., and S. 11th St.
  • S. 8th Street from Martin Luther King Jr. Way to the alley – eastbound lane closure. Crews are installing the concrete pad for the traction power substation in the City right-of-way on S. 8th St. west of MLK Jr. Way near the alley. S. 8th St. is closed to eastbound traffic from MLK Jr. Way to the alley. The Mercy Housing project is under construction in this area.
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Way from S. 19 St. to S. 15th St. – northbound lane closure and intersection closures. Crews are installing track on the east side of Martin Luther King Jr. Way from S. 15th St. to S. 19th St., and will excavate across S. 18th St. as soon as Tuesday, Oct. 20. Crews will excavate, bring rail into place, pour concrete around the rail, and pave. Martin Luther King Jr. Way is closed to northbound traffic from S. 19th St. to S. 15th St. In addition, S. 16th St., 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. 

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. 
Construction map for Martin Luther King Jr way at 16th to 19th track installation, Hilltop Tacoma Link Extension