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

Track installation moves along Division Avenue across J Street to I Street this week

Publish Date

Crews plan to complete the track installation in the Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Division Avenue intersection and open MLK Jr. Way to two-way traffic by the end of the day on Tuesday, April 13. Then, the contractor will continue the track installation process along Division Avenue, crossing J Street to I Street as soon as Wednesday, April 14. At that time, Division Avenue will be closed to eastbound traffic from MLK Jr. Way to I St., and J St will be closed south of Division Avenue for about a half-block. Please follow the detour on MLK Jr. Way, 6th Avenue and S. I Street – thank you.

Crews continue to install track on Commerce Street from I-705 to S. 7th Street, including pouring concrete around the rails. At Martin Luther King Jr. Way and S. 17th St., crews  continue installing lighting and Link power pole tie-ins. On E. 25th St., the contractor is installing a stormwater line, water line and curb and gutter near the expanded Operations and Maintenance Facility. 

Looking ahead, the contractor plans to advance the track installation along Division Avenue, crossing I St. as soon as April 21. Crews will pull rail onto Division Avenue on April 21 at about 5 a.m.

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, S. 7th Street, Division Avenue, S. J Street, Martin Luther King Jr. Way, S. 3rd Street, S. 17th Street, and E. 25th Street

When

Week of April 12

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. One crew is pouring concrete around the tracks from I-705 to S. 7th St., and plans to do a concrete pour on Tuesday, April 13. Then, this crew will install new curb, gutter and sidewalks in this area. Another crew is installing the underground electrical vaults from S. 7th St. to the crosswalk north of the Theater District Station. This electrical crew has temporarily paused work because of unexpected ground conditions. Commerce St. is closed in both directions in this area for about one month, and S. 7th St. is closed at Commerce St. 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 until April 13. Crews are installing the curved track in the Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Division Avenue intersection, as well as sidewalks, curb and gutter and other flatwork. This work is scheduled to be completed on Tuesday, April 13. Then, MLK Jr. Way will open to two-way traffic. In the meantime, 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 until April 13. Crews are completing the track installation and flatwork in the Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Division Avenue intersection, and plan to open MLK Jr. Way to two-way traffic by the end of the day on Tuesday, April 13. Currently, Division Avenue is closed to eastbound traffic from MLK Jr. Way to J St. Westbound traffic is open on Division Avenue. 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.

Division Avenue from Martin Luther King Jr. Way to I Street – eastbound lane closure starting on April 14. Crews will continue the track installation process on Division Avenue, advancing across J St. to I St., as soon as Wednesday, April 14. After about one week, crews will advance across I St. to connect to the track already installed in Division Ave. The work in this area is expected to take about 5 weeks. Division Avenue will be closed to eastbound traffic from MLK Jr. Way to I St., and S. J St. will be closed south of Division Ave. for about half a block. Please follow the detour on S. I St., 6th Avenue and MLK Jr. Way. When the track installation crosses I St on April 21, I St. also will be closed south of Division Ave. for about a half block. The contractor plans to pull rail onto Division Avenue on April 21 at 5 a.m.

Martin Luther King Jr. Way at S. 17th Street – traffic restrictions. Crews are doing underground electrical work at intersections along Martin Luther King Jr. Way. This week, the contractor is installing lighting and tying the Link power poles into the electrical system, starting on the east side of MLK Jr. Way at S. 17th St and moving north. Two-way traffic is maintained on MLK Jr. Way and S. 17th St. Sidewalks or crosswalks may be closed from time to time. Please follow the pedestrian detour – thank you. Later, crews will install signals and foundations for signal poles at the S. 18th St., 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 are installing a stormwater line, water line and curb and gutter near the Operations and Maintenance Facility on E. 25th St. Then crews will continue the track installation in this area. 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 underground utilities and track installation.
  • 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 traffic impacts for track installation along Division Avenue, across J to I Street.