Rail station work begins on 77th Avenue Southeast in Mercer Island

A temporary path, to be completed in May, will be constructed to maintain pedestrian access.

April 12, 2018 1:30 pm
An aerial image of the project location. The green line represents the temporary walkway, and orange is the construction zone. Image courtesy of the city of Mercer Island
An aerial image of the project location. The green line represents the temporary walkway, and orange is the construction zone. Image courtesy of the city of Mercer Island

By now, most Mercer Island residents have noticed the East Link light rail construction underway down at freeway-level along Interstate 90.

Sound Transit has started work up at street-level along the 77th Avenue Southeast overpass, between North Mercer Way and Sunset Highway, as part of station plaza construction.

Crews will install fencing in the area, clear and demolish the existing landscape and planters, and then install the headhouse’s structural steel, decking and windows. Work on the east headhouse (along 80th Avenue Southeast) will follow the same steps later in the year.

A temporary path, to be completed in May, will be constructed along the western edge of the 77th Avenue Southeast construction zone to maintain pedestrian access.

In general, work will occur daily from 7 a.m to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and occasionally on Saturday. New landscaping will be installed once all construction is complete.

Learn more about potential road closures from the Sound Transit East Link construction page.