King Street odor control

Construction begins Spring 2008

Architectual rendering of new facility. Click image to enlarge view.

Project location - click map to enlarge view.

Pedestrian bypass corridor around the construction zone. Click image for larger view.

To protect public health and the environment, King County is installing equipment to reduce corrosive, odor-causing gases in a major wastewater conveyance pipe beneath Occidental Avenue and Second Avenue South in Seattle.

Project overview

The pipe's foul smelling gases irritate the public and corrode our region's wastewater conveyance system. To address these problem gases, King County is installing strong fans and odor control equipment on King County property between King Street-Amtrak Station and the Weller Street Bridge. Gases pulled out of the existing sewer pipe by the fans will be transported to an odor "scrubber" through a pipe to be installed underneath South King Street. Gases in the "scrubber" pass through a carbon filter which removes odor causing compounds. The compounds are absorbed by the carbon and the cleaned air is released to the environment. Most of this equipment will fit underground; only an air stack and a small electrical building will remain visible at project's end.

King County has been working with the following organizations during the design process: the City of Seattle, Pioneer Square Preservation Board, Washington State Department of Transportation, Washington State Public Stadium Authority, and Amtrak.

Estimated project schedule

• Bid Advertised: Winter 2007
• Award contract: Early 2008
• Begin construction: April 2008
• Complete major construction: Summer 2009

What to expect

• Work hours will typically be 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. weekdays.
• Increased construction equipment and personnel working in South King Street on weeknights after 6 p.m. beginning January 19, 2009.
• Single-lane traffic between Second Avenue South and King Street Station after 6p.m. through the end of January 2009.
• King Street Center and King Street Station access will be maintained at all times.

King County is committed to being a good neighbor during construction. The project team will continue to work with community members to minimize disruptions to the daily lives of those living and working near the construction zone.