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

Martin Luther King Jr. Way and 6th Avenue intersection closes for utility work during the weekend of May 16 

Publish Date

Crews will install sewer pipes and structures in the Martin Luther King Jr. Way and 6th Avenue intersection, closing this intersection during the weekend of May 16. Work hours are Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. The contractor plans to open the intersection in the morning of Monday, May 18. Follow detours on Division Avenue, J Street, Sprague Avenue and S. 9th Street. Access the hospitals, medical centers and emergency department on MLK Jr. Way from Division Ave. The contractor may keep an eastbound lane on 6th Avenue open and allow traffic to turn right (southbound) onto MLK Jr. Way, if possible.

In other areas, crews continue to install track on Martin Luther King Jr. Way, moving to the area between S. 11th And S. 10th St. Crews continue to install track, the platform for the Stadium District Station, and curb, gutter and sidewalks on N. 1st St. On Division Ave., crews are excavating and will move rail into place later this week. Commerce Street is closed in both directions between S. 7th St. and I-705 for utility work.

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 on Commerce Street, Stadium Way, N. 1st Street, Yakima Avenue, Division Avenue, Martin Luther King Jr. Way, 6th Avenue, S. 10th Street, S. 11th Street,  and S. 17th Street 

When

Week of May 11

Where

  • Martin Luther King Jr. Way from S. 5th St. to 6th Avenue  – southbound lane closure. Near Tacoma General Hospital, crews continue to install sewer pipes and structures on Martin Luther King Jr. Way, moving from S. 5th St. south to 6th Avenue. The southbound lane of MLK Jr. Way is closed from the Baker Center driveway to 6th Avenue. The northbound lane is open from 6th Avenue to Division Avenue. Please follow the detour routes on J St. to 6th Ave. to MLK Jr. Way. Access to the hospitals, medical centers, parking lots and emergency department s open. 
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Way and 6th Avenue intersection – closed during the weekend of May 16. Crews will install the sewer pipes and structures in the Martin Luther King Jr. Way and 6th Avenue intersection during the weekend of May 16. The MLK Jr. Way and 6th Avenue intersection will be completely closed. Work hours are Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. The contractor obtained a noise variance from the City of Tacoma to begin work early on the weekends. The contractor plans to open the intersection on the morning of Monday, May 18. Please follow detours on S. J St., Division Ave., Sprague Ave., and S. 9th St. Access will be open to hospitals, medical centers, and the emergency department. The contractor may keep an eastbound lane on 6th Avenue open and allow traffic to turn right (southbound) onto MLK Jr. Way, if possible.
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Way from S. 9th St. to Earnest Brazill St. – southbound lane closure. Crews continue the track installation process on the west side of MLK Jr. Way, moving to the area from S. 11th St to S. 10th St. This work includes removing asphalt, moving rail into place, pouring concrete around the rail, and paving. The southbound lane on MLK Jr. Way will is closed from S. 9th St. to Earnest Brazill St. The Earnest Brazill St. and MLK Jr. Way intersection will open. In addition, S. 11th St. and S. 10th St. will close on the west side of MLK Jr. Way for a half-block to the alley for about three to four weeks. To access businesses on S. 10th St. west of MLK Jr. Way, please follow S. L Street. Businesses and residents on the west side of MLK Jr. Way between S. 11th St. and Earnest Brazill St. – please receive deliveries through the alley, if possible. 

    In addition, the contractor continues installing a sewer line on S. 10th St. and MLK Jr. Way. After completing work in this intersection, crews will install the sewer line on S. 10th St. on the west side of MLK Jr. Way to the alley.
  • Commerce Street from 7th Street to I-705 – street closure. Crews are installing a new stormwater system on Commerce Street north of S. 7th St. Commerce St. is closed in both directions between S. 7th St. and I-705, starting on Monday, May 11. This work is expected to take about three weeks. Access to the parking lots on Commerce Street will be maintained. Sidewalks and the Spanish Steps also will be open. To access Commerce St. from I-705, take the A Street/Tacoma City Center exit, or follow the detour up Stadium Way to 4th St. and then down Broadway/St. Helens/Tacoma Ave. The truck detour route is Stadium Way north to Tacoma Ave. 
  • N. 1st Street between Tacoma Avenue and Yakima Avenue – street closure. Crews are installing track, the platform for the Stadium District Station, curb, gutter and sidewalks on N. 1st St. between Tacoma Avenue and Yakima Avenue. N. 1st St. is closed in both directions from the driveway at Stadium Thriftway to Yakima Avenue. This street closure is expected to last through May and into June. Drivers can exit the Columbia Bank’s drive-thru and the driveway that serves Stadium Thriftway and other businesses for most of the track installation. N. G St. is closed at N. 1st St. but otherwise is open. Follow detours on N. 2nd St., N. I St., and Division Ave. 
  • Division Avenue between Yakima Avenue and I Street – lane restriction. Crews are excavating for track on Division Avenue near the Shell Gas Station up to Cosmonaut Coffee, and will move track into place later this week. Yakima Avenue is closed at Division Ave.  
  • Stadium Way from Broadway to S. 4th St. -- southbound lane closure; use detours. Southbound Stadium Way is closed from Division Avenue to S. 4th St. as crews work on the traction power substation and the 4th Street Station. Stadium Way continues to be open northbound from I-705 to Tacoma Avenue. Please follow detour routes on Tacoma Avenue, St. Helens and Broadway, and consider alternate routes to access downtown and/or I-705. 

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. 
MLK Way 6th Ave intersection closure map