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

Utility work on Commerce St and S 9th St - Nov 9 to Mid-December

Publish Date

Crews are installing sewer lines in the area between S 9th St and S 7th St on Commerce St, Nov 9 through mid-December. This work will close Commerce St from 9th St to the crosswalk between S 7th St and S 9th St during work hours (7am-4pm on most days, some days until 9pm). Local access to garages will be maintained.  The Contractor obtained approval from Sound Transit and the City to do this work during the holiday moratorium in order to stay on schedule. Crews will dig trenches and install pipes and structures underground.

This weekend, a portion of the work will occur in the intersection of S 9th and Commerce St from 6am on November 14th through 6am on November 16th. This work will close two lanes of S 9th St, but the street will remain open for one lane travel going east and west between Broadway and Pacific. The contractor obtained a noise variance from the City of Tacoma for this work over these two nights to complete the work during the weekend and not disrupt weekday traffic.

On Martin Luther King Jr. Way, crews continue installing track on the west side of MLK Jr. Way from S. 9th Street to 6th Avenue and on the east side of MLK Jr. Way from 15th St. to S. 19th St. This week, crews plan to install track across 6th Avenue, closing 6th Avenue. As soon as Nov 11, the contractor will close Martin Luther King Jr. Way in both directions between S. 19th St. and S. 17th St. for track installation and other work.

In other areas, the contractor continues working on traction power substations on Stadium Way, S. 8th Street, N. 2nd Street and near S. 15th Street. 

Last Friday, the contractor opened Stadium Way to two-way traffic. Thank you for your patience over the last few years.  We are glad to see this area opened up again!

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 St, N. 2nd Street, Martin Luther King Jr. Way, S. 7th Street, S. 8th Street, S. 16th Street, S. 17th Street, and S. 18th Street.

When

Week of November 9

Where

  • Commerce St between S 9th St and S 7th St. – street closure.   Crews are installing sewer lines and Commerce St will be closed during work hours. During off-hours, northbound one-way traffic will be maintained. Please follow detour routes to Pacific and Broadway.  
  • N 2nd Street from N. I Street to the alley. – street closure. Crews are starting to build the traction power substation on N. 2nd St. near Tacoma Public Utilities’ substation. N. 2nd St. is closed between the alley and N. I St., and N. I Street has a lane restriction near N. 2nd St.
  • 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. The southbound lane on MLK Jr. Way is closed between 6th Avenue and S. 9th St. In addition, 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. The contractor plans to excavate across 6th Avenue as soon as Nov. 10, closing 6th Avenue at MLK Jr. Way.
  • 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. 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. The contractor plans to open MLK Jr. Way from S. 15th St. to S. 17th St. this week, and then close MLK Jr. Way from S. 17th St. to S. 19th St. in both directions, as soon as Nov. 11.

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 Commerce Street closures, Hilltop Tacoma Link Extension