Sound Transit says things could get noisy starting Tuesday as the contractor working on the construction of the light rail tunnels and station begins driving giant steel beams into the ground to reinforce the area for required utility work. JCM U-Link Joint Venture will need a full day to complete the project but will complete the ‘noisier part’ of the work during daytime hours, according to the e-mail notice sent out by Sound Transit.
Speaking of light rail construction noise, we’re just past the midway point of the 60-day maximum window for the Department of Planning and Development to weigh in on Sound Transit’s request for the noise variance required to enable 24-hour construction at the site starting toward the end of this year.
The sidewalk on the south of E. John (thick red line) will be closed starting in April.
Meanwhile, Sound Transit’s e-mail alert also notified us of the impending closure of the sidewalk along the north side of the construction lot along E. John. ST says the sidewalk on the south side of E. John will be closed starting in April and could be closed through early July.
Before the excavation of the Capitol Hill Station can begin, there is a great deal of work needed to prepare the site. To prevent the sides of the excavation from collapsing once excavation begins, the contractor will use walls made of soldier piles and lagging. Steel beams are dug into the ground, and wooden or steel planks are placed between the beams to hold the earth in place.
- As early as Tuesday, March 23, 2010 Sound Transit’s contractor will install soldier piles for the utility work taking place in E. Denny. This work is scheduled to go until 10 p.m. The contractor plans to complete the noisier part of the work (auguring the holes and placing the piles) during the day and the quieter work (setting the beams and pouring concrete) after 6:00 p.m. However, there is the potential that the noisy work could extend into the late evening.
- As early as Thursday, April 1, 2010 the sidewalk on the south side of E. John between Broadway and 10th Ave will be closed for up to three months. This closure will allow Sound Transit’s contractor to complete jet grouting on the north side of the site, and to install the soldier piles to support the excavation of the station. Pedestrian traffic will be re-routed to the sidewalk on the north side of E. John.
View CHS Capitol Hill Light Rail Construction Map in a larger map
I’m thinking it’s time for another letter writing/calling campaign to get a protected walkway for the south side of John. As I understand it, city law requires construction to accommodate pedestrians if they are planning to obstruct a sidewalk. It also seems like a safety issue because the more people that have to cross at 10th, an unprotected crosswalk, the more likely the fast moving traffic on John is going to cause an accident.
The work being done this week, apparently driving steel beams into the ground, is VERY noisy, starting at 7AM. I live two blocks away and the noise is very loud even this far away…I would guess it can still be heard at least 1/2 mile away, if not more.
Sure hope this is temporary. I knew there would be some noise during this construction, but not like THIS!
Reason for the sidewalk closure on the south side of John St is for the Jet Grout work that will be performed directly over the sidewalk, so walking by it will be impossible on that side of the road. When the work is done, the sidewalk will be reopened.
Is it really that hard to cross the street for one whole block? I’m through there every day and it is a minor inconvenience.
Now, how about we get a fancy new crosswalk at 11th & John like the one on Olive? Cars don’t like to stop for pedestrians, even when they’re in the middle of the road.
I agree – it’s been pretty brutal. Hopefully it’s not like this in summer when everyone has their windows open. ugh
Talked with ST, and that lovely loud knocking noise that starts at 7am will continue through May.
I would suspect that for many hill residents living nearby, having auger noise “later in the evening” (until 7pm) may be less of a hassle than having auger noise starting at 7am that is louder than my alarm clock.
If you are interested in asking politely that they shift the crew schedule so that the augering starts and ends later in the day, call ST and let them know. I know I am not the only night owl on the hill.