The Washington State Sound Transit is directing contractors to suspend almost all construction on its transit expansion projects across the region due to risks posed by COVID-19. The period of suspension is currently set for April 6 to May 4, but Sound Transit has the discretion to extend or decrease this time frame.
The very limited work that does continue will focus on tasks considered critical and/or necessary to ensure that all sites remain safe and secure and/or to avoid mobility, environmental, or other impacts.
This work will move forward only under appropriate safety measures, including additional worker training and increased monitoring of updated safety plans.
Sound Transit will immediately shut down work in the event that contractors are unable to comply fully with safety plans, as it did on one construction project on March 31.
Sound Transit will be boosting its oversight of those sites that remain open by reallocating safety inspection and construction management resources from those projects that have been closed down.
An example of the work that will continue is light rail construction on the Homer M. Hadley floating Contractors will continue to monitor security at worksites and to maintain the sites, including environmental protection measures.
Expanded safety measures for continuing work may include provisions in the following areas:
- Reducing work crew sizes.
- Staggering report times to avoid large groups.
- Adding sanitation facilities including more hand washing and hand sanitizer stations.
- Using face shields.
- Screening of employee wellness by first line supervisors upon reporting to the site.
- Emphasis of COVID-19 symptom recognition, personal protective measures, personal protective equipment and revised work practices.
To read the full press release, visit www.soundtransit.org.
