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

Track installation starts at Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Division Avenue intersection and on Commerce Street

Publish Date

Crews completed the track installation on Division Avenue from Yakima Ave to I Street, and will start installing the curved track in the Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Division Avenue intersection as soon as Monday, Feb 22. MLK Jr. Way will be closed to northbound traffic from S. 3rd St. to Division Avenue, and Division Avenue will be 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 Jackson Hall, 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.

Crews will start signals, electrical work and track installation on Commerce Street from I-705 to just south of S. 7th St. on Monday, Feb 22. The southbound lane on Commerce St. will be closed from I-705 to S. 9th St. 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). As soon as March 2, crews will install track, closing Commerce St. in both directions between I-705 and S. 7th St.

This week, the contractor plans to install the concrete pad for the traction power substation on N. 2nd St., and will install more Link power poles along the route. 

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, N. 2nd Street, Division Avenue, Martin Luther King Jr. Way, S. 7th Street, S. 8th Street, S. 9th Street, and E. 25th Street

When

Week of February 22

Where

  • Commerce Street from I-705 to S. 9th Street – southbound lane closure. Crews will start signals, electrical work and track installation on Commerce St. from I-705 to just south of S. 7th St. First, crews will do signals and electrical work at the S. 7th St. intersection and for the track and Old City Hall Station. Then, the contractor will install track from S. 7th St. to I-705. As soon as Feb 22, Commerce St. will be closed to southbound traffic from I-705 to S. 9th St. Local access and access to driveways will be maintained. 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. Looking ahead, the contractor plans to install track on Commerce St., closing Commerce in both directions between I-705 and S. 7th St. as soon as March 2 for about one month.
  • N. 2nd Street between N. I Street and the alley – northbound lane closure. Crews will start building the concrete pad for the traction power substation located on N. 2nd St. near Tacoma Public Utilities’ existing substation. The concrete pad and electrical work for the traction power substation will start as soon as February 23 and last about one month. During this time, N. 2nd St. will be closed to northbound traffic from N. I St. to the alley (the area near the substation) during the day. The contractor will open up the street each night.
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Way from S. 3rd Street to Division Avenue – northbound lane closure. Crews will start installing the curved track in the Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Division Avenue intersection as soon as Monday, Feb 22. In addition, the contractor will install foundations for Link power poles (two in Kaiser Permanente’s driveway on MLK Jr. Way and one in the center of MLK Jr. Way for the station). MLK Jr. Way will be closed to northbound traffic from S. 3rd St. to Division Ave., and Division Ave. will be 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 will start installing the curved track in the Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Division Avenue intersection as soon as Monday, Feb 22. This work will close Division Ave. 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 from S. 10th Street to 6th Avenue – northbound lane closure. Track installation is underway on the east side of Martin Luther King Jr. from 6th Ave. to across S. 9th St. Currently, work has temporarily stopped while a design issue is resolved. The contractor plans to resume work later this week. MLK Jr. Way is closed northbound from S. 10th St. to 6th Ave. In addition, S. 7th St., S. 8th St., and S. 9th St. are closed from MLK Jr. Way east to the alley. Please follow the detour on S. J St. Crews may work on Saturdays starting at 7 a.m. 
  • East 25th Street from McKinley Ave. to E. J St. – eastbound lane closure. Track installation is underway on E. 25th St. near the Operations and Maintenance Facility. Currently, work has temporarily stopped while a design issue is resolved. E. 25th St. is closed to eastbound traffic between McKinley Ave. and E. J St. Please follow the detour on Puyallup Avenue. The contractor plans to work in E. 25th St. for several months, doing track installation and other work.

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 and Division Avenue track installation, Hilltop Tacoma Link Extension

 

Construction map for Commerce street, Hilltop Tacoma Link Extension