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

Utility work on Martin Luther King Jr. Way from Division Ave. to S. 3rd St. starts this week 

Publish Date

This week, the contractor will start installing a deep sewer line on the west side of Martin Luther King Jr. Way from Division Ave. to S. 3rd St., and the southbound lane on MLK Jr. Way will be closed. The driveway to the Jackson Hall parking garage will be closed during the Martin Luther King Jr. Way holiday weekend. Hospitals and medical centers are open. Please allow an extra 15 minutes to get to your appointment. 

Crews are installing a catch basin on N. 1st St. and working on traffic signals in the Tacoma Ave. and N. 1st St. intersection. The contractor is installing utilities on S. 14th Street near MLK Jr. Way and working on traffic signals on MLK Jr. Way at S. 15th St. On Stadium Way, crews continue to install track and foundations for Link power poles; however, some work depends on warmer weather. 

Looking ahead, crews will start installing track in the N. Tacoma Ave. and N. 1st St. intersection, as early as Jan. 22. This intersection will be completely closed for this work. Crews will start installing track on Martin Luther King Jr. Way near S. 18th St. as early as Jan. 27. 

What

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

When

Week of January 13

Where

  • Martin Luther King Jr. Way from Division Ave. to S. 3rd St. – southbound lane closure. Crews will install a new sewer line on the west side of MLK Jr. Way from Division Ave. to S. 3rd St. The southbound lane of MLK Jr. Way is closed at Division Ave., and open to northbound traffic from the Baker Center to Division Ave. Please follow the detour routes on J St. to 6th Ave. to MLK Jr. Way. The sidewalk is 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 an extra 15 minutes to get to your appointment. Crews will be working the Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend from Jan 17-20. During this weekend, the driveway to the Jackson Hall parking garage will be closed.   
     
  • N. Tacoma Avenue and N. 1st Street intersection – lane closure. Crews are installing a catch basin in N. 1st St. near Salamone’s Pizza. N. 1st St. is closed to eastbound traffic from Tacoma Ave. to N. G St. The westbound lane on N. 1st St. (coming up the hill from Stadium Way) will be open. This work is expected to take two to three days. In addition, crews are installing traffic signals in the crosswalks in the N. Tacoma Ave. and N. 1st St. intersection (near the Harvester, Rankos and Columbia Bank). Two-way traffic is maintained on Tacoma Ave. While crews work in a crosswalk, that crosswalk and some parts of sidewalk will be closed. Please follow the pedestrian detour. Flaggers will help pedestrians access businesses. Track installation in this intersection is scheduled to start on Jan. 22 and last about three weeks. During track installation, the intersection will be completely closed. 
     
  • 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. 
     
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Way and S. 15th Street – lane restriction. Crews are working on traffic signals and lighting on MLK Jr. Way at S. 15th St. Two-way traffic is maintained on MLK Jr. Way.
     
  • Division Avenue between MLK Jr. Way and Yakima Ave – lane restriction. Crews are potholing and then will install foundations for Link power poles on Division Avenue. Two-way traffic is maintained on Division.
     
  • 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. Track installation is anticipated to start on MLK Jr. Way near S. 18th St. as early as Jan 27.
     
  • 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. Some of this work depends on warmer weather. 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. 
MLK from Division to 3rd construction map