October 2025

81st Ave SE remains closed as pipe repair work begins on SE 24th Street between 78th Ave SE and 80th Ave SE

Expect noise, vibrations, and detours during construction

King County's contractor is continuing pipe repair work on 81st Avenue Southeast, while crews begin additional repairs along Southeast 24th Street between 78th Avenue Southeast and 80th Avenue Southeast. Single lane alternating traffic will be in place on SE 24th St, and 81st Ave SE will remain closed to through-traffic. This work is anticipated to continue through

mid-November so crews can complete the work safely and efficiently.

Crews will use a construction method called open-cut trenching. During open-cut construction, crews sawcut the roadway’s surface, remove asphalt, and dig down to the pipe. You may notice construction noise and vibrations during work hours.

Traffic impacts:

During work hours, flaggers will direct alternating single lane traffic on SE 24th St and provide local access to Mercer Isle Condos. Drivers may experience brief delays and can expect to wait a few minutes when traveling on SE 24th St and 81st Ave SE. After permitted work hours, SE 24th St will reopen to two-way traffic, and 81st Ave SE will reopen to two-way local access between the Mercer Isle Condos driveway and the intersection at SE 24th St. The intersection of 81st Ave SE and North Mercer Way will remain closed for the duration of this work.

Please follow instructions from flaggers, traffic control, and signage while traveling through this work area (detour map below).

Local access:

Residential access will be maintained at all times. Mercer Isle Condo residents will be able to access their homes via 81st Ave SE from SE 24th St and from the alley on SE 24th St and N Mercer Way.

Detours:

Detours will be in place for vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians to allow safe movement around the work area. Detour routes are located on surrounding local streets. This includes 80th Ave SE, SE 27th St, and Island Crest Way south of I-90 and SE 26th St, 84th Ave SE, and SE 24th St north of I-90. See map below for more details.

We understand that these detours are inconvenient. We appreciate your patience as crews work to complete construction as safely as possible. If you have questions about access, please call our construction hotline at 425-305-3578.

Please travel slowly through the area and follow all signs, traffic control signals, and directions from crews.

Map of work area on SE 24th St and 81st Ave SE, including the surrounding pedestrian, bike, and vehicle detours. Local access to SE 24th St and 81st Ave SE will be maintained for the duration of this work.

Why is repair work needed?

Testing the pipe ensures the newly installed conveyance system operates as planned. Pipe testing revealed an issue that needs repairs. Crews are repairing the pipe to make sure the system operates correctly and safely to ensure reliable sewer service for your community.

Plans for final restoration:

When repairs are complete, crews will backfill the roadway and temporarily restore the roadway surface where the pipe was repaired. Then, crews will restore all disturbed areas based on permit conditions agreed upon with the City of Mercer Island. Final paving is weather dependent and will be scheduled at a later time. A notice with more details will be sent out, and the project website will be updated once final restoration and paving has been scheduled.

What to expect:

• Approved work hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday.
• All work will be performed in the right-of-way.
• Flaggers will direct local access to homes on SE 24th St and the Mercer Isle Condominiums.
• Noise, dust, and vibrations typical of an active construction project. 
  • Expect intermittent loud noise during jackhammering and saw cutting.
  • Expect increased continuous noise while the vacuum truck is in use.
• Emergency vehicle access will be maintained.
• Garbage, recycling, composting, and mail service will be maintained.
  • If services are interrupted, please call the project hotline at 425-305-3578.
• Construction schedules can change based on factors such as site conditions, weather, and material availability. Please visit the project website for updates.

Learn more about this project

• Contact the community services team at 425-305-3578 or email NMEsewer@kingcounty.gov
• Visit the project website: kingcounty.gov/MercerEnataiSewer.
• Alternative Formats Available: 206-477-5371 or TTY Relay: 711  

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