Construction alert: Hilltop Tacoma Link Extension

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Construction alert

Weekly construction update for March 28: North I Street restoration finishes, and the N. Yakima and N 2nd Street intersection restoration starts up this week.

Sound Transit’s contractor is finishing the restoration of North I Street this week. The crews have started on the restoration of the N. Yakima and N. 2nd Street restoration as well as the alley restoration near Division Avenue between the Shell gas station and Stadium Thai. This is scheduled to be complete by the end of March/early April. As the construction nears completion the contractor is working on final checklist items, which come up at the end of a project to correct any issues along the project area. This work is along the entire project area and will have short-term effects on the repairs. We are getting close to the completion of the civil construction phase and are looking at an opening window of August/September.

The construction and work schedule is partially dependent on weather. The final striping is one of those activities, so we will start that activity once we receive a dry forecast. Please allow for extra travel time to get to your destination and follow detour signage. For details of the traffic control effects, please scroll down to the “Where” section.

Please support your local businesses during construction. Let’s stay Loyal to the Local!

What

Continued construction and traffic restrictions along Stadium Way, N. 2nd Street, N. I Street, Division Avenue, Martin Luther King Jr. Way, and the Dome District. More details specific to neighborhoods are provided below.

When

  • March 28 update: Work will occur throughout both the day and nighttime hours.

Where

Entire project area:

  • System Integration Testing along the Hilltop Tacoma Link Extension project continues. Starting as early as early April the contractor will perform various signal, vehicle, and track testing which will occur throughout the project area. The testing will occur during the nighttime hours and involve a roving traffic control with flaggers and uniformed police officers as the move up and down the future alignment. The project has obtained a nighttime/weekend noise variance, a permit that allows them to make more noise than is typically allowed. They will need to temporarily remove parking and shift traffic to maintain a safe working area. Work will occur at night during the week and start as early as 7 a.m. on the weekends. The noise variance will remain in place through May.
  • The T Line terminus will be at the Commerce Street Station and the train will temporarily turn back at 7th and Commerce until we start testing in 2023. Please make sure to stay within the parking lanes so as not to impede T Line vehicle access.
  • The contractor is planning to start the permanent pavement markings along the project area. Their plan is to start the removal of the temporary markings on April 1 and then paint the permanent after. This work will go on for 2-3 weeks. This will require street/lane closures along with parking removal to paint the permanent pavement markings. The contractor will place signage two days before work starts.

Dome District:

  • No civil work related to the project is planned.

Commerce/Stadium Way:

  • At night, vacuum trucks will clean out utilities on Commerce Street between S. 9th Street and 705. This work is scheduled to start on March 27-29. Two-way traffic will remain with flaggers helping to maintain access.
  • Southbound Commerce between 705 and S. 7th Street will be closed. Northbound will remain open as well as access to the parking lot driveways in the area. This closure will take place Thursday, March 30 - Friday, April 1.
  • See entire project area information for nighttime and weekend work.

Stadium District (N. E St., N. 1st St., Division Ave.):

  • The Yakima intersection at North 2nd Street is fully closed for roadway restoration. The work started on Friday, March 24, to start the restoration prep as the concrete crew and subcontractors are scheduled to come in on the following Monday to finish by the end of March. Parking will be unavailable near the work area. This work will start right after the I Street closure is complete.

Hilltop/MLK Jr. Way:

  • The city and Sound Transit walked the project area and found items that the contractor needs to repair. This will require short term directional closures of MLK in sections to maintain a safe work area. Work will include track slab repair, sidewalk repair, and other types of concrete repair. The contractor will keep traffic open where space allows. This work will continue through late March.
  • Crews are scheduled to close northbound MLK between 11th and Earnest S. Brazill during the night on March 29 to make repairs on the Hilltop District Station. Parking will be unavailable during this work. If delayed, this work may take place the following week due to contractor’s schedule.
  • Future street closures:
    • Crews will be working on MLK Jr. Way and Earnest S. Brazill Street, installing drainage along the future light rail trackway. This work will require a full closure of the intersection. This will take about 6 days, scheduled to start in May 2023.

More

  • Cross the street at only designated crosswalks. Wheelchairs, walkers, strollers and bicycles should cross tracks at a right angle. Obey all traffic signs and signals.
  • Driveway and pedestrian access are maintained, although some sidewalks and crosswalks will be temporarily closed. Pedestrian detours will be in place.
  • Crews will be installing lighting along MLK Way and Division Ave. Please look out for “No Parking” signs to allow crews to easily access their work areas.
  • Buses will follow detour routes. Visit PierceTransit.org for information.
  • Prepare for construction noise related to removing pavement and operating equipment.
  • Large construction equipment or materials may have the right-of-way.
  • Work will occur during the daytime and nighttime hours. Saturday work can start as early as 7 a.m.
  • Businesses are open during construction. Support your local businesses — stay Loyal to the Local!
  • Allow for extra time to reach your destination.
  • Due to inclement weather or unforeseen issues, dates and times are subject to change.

Contact us

Community Engagement: htlink@soundtransit.org or 206-398-5300
After-hours construction hotline: 888-298-2395

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24-hour construction hotline: 888-298-2395

More project info: soundtransit.org/htlink
Get in touch: htlink@soundtransit.org or 206-398-5300