Pedestrians in downtown Mercer Island can once again make use of the sidewalk on 77th Avenue Southeast over Interstate 90, between the Town Center and the Park & Ride area.

The sidewalk is situated along the construction site of the Island’s future Sound Transit East Link light rail station.

According to Sound Transit public information officer Rachelle Cunningham, the sidewalk between North Mercer Way and Sunset Highway Southeast was closed in late August.

It is not the only anticipated station-related closure of the sidewalk. The sidewalk will be closed intermittently for short periods to accommodate ongoing station construction. During the closures, as has been the case recently, foot traffic can detour along 80th Avenue Southeast.

Cunningham said that, along with the reopening of the 77th Avenue Southeast sidewalk, the 80th Avenue Southeast sidewalk between North Mercer Way and Southeast 27th Street will be intermittently closed in January to allow for utility installation and trail restoration. That work is expected to take three to four weeks, weather depending, and the 77th Avenue Southeast sidewalk will serve as a detour route.

Either the 77th Avenue Southeast or 80th Avenue Southeast sidewalk will be open for pedestrians at all times, and people should watch for and follow detour signs to stay safe around the construction, Cunningham said.

The Mercer Island Station’s construction is progressing and is expected to open on schedule along with the other nine East Link stations when the light rail line begins operating in 2023.

To learn more about the project, go online to www.soundtransit.org/system-expansion/mercer-island-station.