South 7th Street Closure for Stormwater Work Monday, Jan. 20

Rain storms of unusually high intensity led to several flood incidents along Commerce Street in downtown Tacoma in 2013. To address this, the City is replacing and constructing new stormwater infrastructure between South 7th Street and the I-705 intersection, and on southbound Schuster Parkway between Pacific Avenue and South 4thStreet.

The first phase of work, which began in December, included storm water improvements on Commerce Street between South 7th and I-705. Utility construction is complete and restoration has begun. To complete the restoration work in the vicinity of South 7th and Commerce Street as quickly as possible, South 7th street will close between Commerce Street and Pacific Avenue on Monday Jan. 20 and remain closed until Friday Jan. 24, 2014. Both Commerce Street and Pacific Avenue will remain open during this time. Remaining stormwater work, phase two, should be complete by the end of March.

The City of Tacoma substantially completed an adjacent Stadium Way Arterial Project in fall. To minimize response time and take advantage reduced mobilization costs, City staff are wrapping the additional storm sewer work into the existing Stadium Way Arterial Project contract. Though residents may see the same crews performing the work, this project has transitioned to the City’s Environmental Services Department. Those with questions may contact the project’s new manager, Erik Ward, at (253) 591-5518.