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

Utility work at S. 7th Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Way resumes this week 

Publish Date

This week, crews will start installing stormwater and water pipes and structures in the S. 7th St. and MLK Jr. Way intersection, working on one side of the street at a time. This utility work will last about two-three weeks. In addition, crews will resume stormwater work on Commerce Street near S. 7th Street. 

Near Kaiser Permanente and Tacoma General, crews continue installing track on Division Avenue from J Street to the K St./Martin Luther King Jr. Way intersection and on the west side of Martin Luther King Jr. Way from Division Avenue to S. 5th Street. Access is open to hospitals, medical centers and the emergency department. Please allow extra time to reach your appointment – thank you.

The contractor resumed working in the Stadium curve near Stadium High School this week. Crews will remove some track and then install track on both sides of Stadium Way/N. E St. near the school.

In Hilltop, the contractor continues to install track on the east side of Martin Luther King Jr. Way from Earnest Brazill Street to S. 16th Street, and continues to work on the traction power substation on S. 8th St. west of MLK Jr. Way. Crews will install curb and gutter on S. 8th St. and pedestrian ramps near the L St. roundabout.

In addition, the contractor plans to install utilities on N. 2nd St. between Yakima Ave. and N. I St. either late this week or early next week.

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, Stadium Way, Division Avenue, N. K Street, Martin Luther King Jr. Way, S. 7th Street, S. 8th Street, S. 13th Street, S. 14th Street, S. 15th Street, and S. 17th Street. 

When

Week of September 7 

Where

  • Commerce Street from Theater District Station to I-705 – northbound lane closure. Crews will install a stormwater system and later a water line in Commerce St. near S. 7th St. The northbound lane on Commerce St. will be closed from the Theater District Station to I-705. The combination of utility work in this area is expected to take about two months. 
  • Stadium Way/N. E St./N. 1st St. from north of Division Avenue to Broadway – street closure. Stadium Way/N. E Street/N. 1st Street is completely closed from just north of Division Avenue to Broadway.  This week, crews resumed work in the Stadium curve, and are removing some existing track. Then, they will install new track on both sides of the street near Stadium High School. The contractor will work on Saturday, Sept. 12, starting at 9 a.m. Detour routes to and from downtown include Tacoma Ave., Broadway and St. Helens.
  • Stadium Way from Division Ave. to S. 4th St. – southbound lane closure. Crews are working on the 4th St. station and traction power substation along Stadium Way. The contractor will repair sidewalks on S. 4th St. Stadium Way is closed to southbound traffic from Division Ave. to S. 4th St. Stadium Way is open northbound from I-705 to Division Avenue with turns at S. 4th St. and Division Ave. Please follow detour routes on Tacoma Avenue, St. Helens and Broadway, and consider alternate routes to access downtown and/or I-705. 
  • Division Avenue between J Street and N. K Street/Martin Luther King Jr. Way – lane closure and street closure. Crews continue installing track on Division Avenue from J Street to N. K St./Martin Luther King Jr. Way. Division Ave is closed to westbound traffic from J St. to just west of N. K St., and N. K St. is closed at Division Ave. Please follow detours on I St., N. 3rd St., 6th Avenue, and MLK Jr. Way. 
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Way from Division Avenue to S. 5th Street  – southbound lane closure. Crews are installing track on the west side of Martin Luther King Jr Way going south from Division Ave. The contractor will be working during the weekend of Sept. 11 to pour concrete around the tracks and cut the concrete. MLK Jr. Way is closed to southbound traffic from Division Ave. to S. 5th Street. Northbound traffic on MLK Jr. Way is open from 6th Avenue to Division. Please follow the detour on S. J St. S. 3rd St. is open to two-way traffic. Access is open to hospitals, medical centers, and the emergency department. Please allow a little extra time to reach your appointment.
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Way near S. 7th Street – northbound lane closure and intersection closure. Crews will install stormwater and water pipes and structures in the S. 7th St. and MLK Jr. Way intersection, working on one side of the street at a time. MLK Jr. Way will be closed to northbound traffic near S. 7th St., and S. 7th St. will be closed on one side of MLK Jr. Way at a time to the alley. This utility work will last about two-three weeks.
  • S. 8th Street from Martin Luther King Jr. Way to the alley – eastbound lane closure. Crews are installing the concrete pad for the traction power substation in the City right-of-way on S. 8th St. west of MLK Jr. Way near the alley. S. 8th St. is closed to eastbound traffic from MLK Jr. Way to the alley. After this work is completed, the contractor will install curb and gutter on S. 8th St. as well as pedestrian ramps near the L St. roundabout. This combined work is expected to last until late September.
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Way from Earnest Brazill St. to S. 16th St. – northbound lane closure and intersection closures. Crews continue installing track on the east side Luther King Jr. Way from Earnest Brazill St. to S. 16th St. S. 13th St., S. 14th St. and S. 15th St. are closed east of MLK Jr. Way to the alley. MLK Jr. Way is closed to northbound traffic between S. 16th St. and Earnest Brazill St. MLK Jr. Way is open to southbound traffic. Please follow the detour on S. J St.

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 closures map of Martin Luther King Jr Way at S 7th St and S 8th St