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

Update: MLK Jr. Way and Division Avenue intersection to open early next week

Publish Date

Update: crews will complete the track installation and sidewalk work in the Division Avenue and MLK Jr. Way intersection early next week. Currently, the contractor plans to open this intersection by the end of the day on Tuesday, April 13. At that time, two sets of track will be installed on Martin Luther King Jr. Way from S. 18th Street to Division Avenue. As soon as April 14, crews will move the track installation process along Division Avenue, crossing J St to I St.

This week crews will pave, install curb and gutter, sidewalks and ADA ramps on S. 3rd Street and MLK Jr. Way and plan to open this intersection on Friday, April 9. Drivers will not be able to turn left at the S. 3rd St. and MLK Jr. Way intersection until the intersection opens. 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. Please allow a little extra time to reach your destination – thank you.

Crews continue to install track on Commerce Street from I-705 to the Theater District Station. On E. 25th St., crews are installing a stormwater line, water line and curb and gutter near the expanded Operations and Maintenance Facility. 

This week, the contractor will resume underground electrical work at Martin Luther King Jr. Way and S. 17th St and 18th St. The contractor also plans to advance the track installation on Commerce St. to the area between S. 7th St. and S. 9th St. in mid-April. 

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

When

Week of April 5

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 installing the underground electrical vaults and raceway in the area between S. 7th St. to the Theater District Station. Another crew is building the track from I-705 to S. 7th St. 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. Crews are installing the curved track in the Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Division Avenue intersection. The contractor also will install sidewalks, curb and gutter and other flatwork. 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. Drivers will not be able to turn left at the S. 3rd St. and MLK Jr. Way intersection until the intersection opens on Friday. 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.
  • 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 signals and lighting on the east side of MLK Jr. Way at S. 17th St. 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. Next week, the contractor will install signals and lighting at the S. 18th St. intersection. Later, crews will do similar electrical work at the S. 15th St. and S. 13th St. intersections.
  • 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. 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.
  • 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 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 Division Avenue and South 3rd Street closure, Hilltop Tacoma Link Extension