On Nov. 9, Sound Transit posted an East Link update on the progress made so far and a look ahead at upcoming work. Construction has been underway for a few months, since the Interstate 90 center roadway closed in June.
To seismically retrofit the floating bridge and approach structures in advance of light rail construction, Sound Transit’s contractor has been focusing on preparing, mobilizing and beginning demolition along I-90. East Link will extend 14 miles from Seattle to Redmond. It is set to open in 2023.
Demolition work continues along the floating bridge, in the Mercer Island tunnel and at the station area while seismic retrofit work will begin along the East Channel Bridge. This winter, while work may not be visible on the floating bridge, work will be happening within the pontoons and I-90 tunnels in Seattle and Mercer Island.
Construction will become more visible in early 2018 as work on the station platform and both east and west head houses begins.
See soundtransit.org/eastlink for more.
Crews stage bottom support frames inside pontoons. These frames will be installed in the coming months to prepare for additional post tensioning. Each bottom support weighs 1,300 pounds. Photo courtesy of Sound Transit
Crews install protective casing for utility lines near the future Mercer Island station. Photo courtesy of Sound Transit
Crews excavate the station area to prepare for utility protection installation. Photo courtesy of Sound Transit
Drilled shafts have been installed to support station noise walls that will be poured in the coming weeks. Photo courtesy of Sound Transit
