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

Traffic signal and utility work in N. Tacoma Ave. and N. 1st St. intersection begins in early January

Publish Date

This week, crews will install traffic signals and lighting in the N. Tacoma Ave. and N. 1st Street intersection, as well as a catch basin on N. 1st St. near Salamone’s.

Crews continue to work on utilities on the west side of Martin Luther King Jr. Way near Kaiser Permanente and Tacoma General. The contractor will install utilities on S. 14th Street near MLK Jr. Way and do traffic signal work on S. 18th Street east of MLK Jr. Way.

On Stadium Way, crews continue to install track and foundations for Link power poles; however, the concrete pours depend on drier weather. In addition, Tacoma Water crews continue to connect customers to the new water line on MLK Jr. Way.

Looking ahead, crews will start sewer work on the west side of MLK Jr. Way from Division Ave. to S. 3rd St. as soon as Jan. 13. Please allow an extra 15 minutes to get to your appointment. Later this month, the contractor plans to install track in the N. Tacoma Ave. and N. 1st St. intersection as well as on Martin Luther King Jr. Way near S. 18th St.

What

Construction and traffic restrictions on N. 1st Street, N. Tacoma Avenue, Martin Luther King Jr. Way, S. 14th Street,  S. 17th Street, and Stadium Way

When

Week of Jan. 6

Where

N. Tacoma Avenue and N. 1st Street intersection – lane closure. Crews will install traffic signals in three of the crosswalks in the N. Tacoma Ave. and N. 1st Street intersection (near the Harvester, Rankos and Columbia Bank), working in one crosswalk at a time. The contractor will work in half of the crosswalk and then the other half, keeping one lane of traffic open. While crews work in a crosswalk, that crosswalk will be closed. Please follow the pedestrian detour. Flaggers will help pedestrians access businesses. Two-way traffic is maintained on Tacoma Ave. This traffic signal work is expected to take another two weeks. In addition, crews will install an underground structure (a catch basin) in N. 1st Street near Salamone’s Pizza. This catch basin work may start as early as Friday, January 10 and take two to three days. During the catch basin work, N. 1st Street will be closed to eastbound traffic from N. G Street to Tacoma Ave. The westbound lane on N. 1st St. (coming up the hill from Stadium Way) will be open.

Martin Luther King Jr. Way from Division Ave. to S. 5th St. – lane restriction. Crews are filling in pits and removing shoring on the west side of MLK Jr. Way from S. 3rd St. to S. 5th St. Currently, two-way traffic is maintained on MLK Jr. Way, and the sidewalk is closed south of Jackson Hall. As early as Jan. 13, crews will start sewer work on the west side of MLK Jr. Way from Division Ave to S. 3rd St. During that time, MLK Jr. Way will be open to northbound traffic only from the Baker Center to Division Ave. Please follow the detour routes on J St. to MLK Jr. Way. The sidewalk will be open south of Jackson Hall but closed north. Flaggers will assist pedestrians as well as vehicles entering and exiting the Jackson Hall parking garage. Access to the hospitals and medical centers is open. Please allow extra time to get to your appointment.

S. 14th Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Way – northbound lane closure. Crews are installing a stormwater pipe across MLK Jr. Way at S. 14th St. The northbound lane on MLK Jr. Way is closed, and S. 14th St. is closed on both sides of MLK Jr. Way for about a half block to the alley. This work is expected to take another week. Then, the crew will move to the MLK Jr. Way and S. 13th St. intersection.

S. 18th Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Way – lane restriction. Crews are doing traffic signal work at S. 18th Street and MLK Jr. Way. When this intersection is completed, the contractor will move to the S. 17th St. intersection.

Division Avenue near S. G Street – lane restriction. Rail strands are stored in the street right-of-way on the east side of Division Avenue near Wright Park. Ultimately, crews will install this rail in N. 1st St. and Division Ave. Two-way traffic is maintained on Division Ave.

Martin Luther King Jr. Way from S. 18th to S. 16th Streets – lane restriction. Rail strands are stored in the street right-of-way on the east side of MLK Jr. Way in between S. 16th and S. 18th Streets. Ultimately, crews will install this rail in MLK Jr. Way. During rail storage, S. 17th St. east of MLK Jr. Way is closed. Two-way traffic is maintained on MLK Jr. Way.

Stadium Way from Broadway to the 705 onramp -- southbound lane closure; use detours. Crews continue to install foundations for Link power poles on the east side of Stadium Way from Division Ave. to the 705 onramp. Stadium Way is closed to southbound traffic from Broadway to the 705 onramp. Please follow detour routes on St. Helens, Tacoma Avenue and Broadway, and consider alternate routes to access downtown and/or the 705. Stadium Way continues to be open northbound from the 705 to Tacoma Avenue with left turns at S. 4th St. and Division Ave. Commerce St. also is open to two-way traffic. To access parking garages and driveways on Stadium Way, please travel north on Commerce Street or north on Stadium Way from the 705 off-ramp.

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.
  • 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.
Lane restrictions and crosswalk closures on North 1st Street, Tacoma.