Auburn sewer project’s Phase 2 continues after July overnight work
King County’s second phase of the M Street Trunk Rehabilitation Project is continuing in northeast Auburn after documented July overnight work on Auburn Way North, utility surveys on three nearby streets and a temporary airport-area driveway closure.
Phase 2 began in June 2026 and covers about 1.9 miles of sewer pipe, from near 2nd Street Northeast and Pike Street Northeast to 23rd Street Northeast near Auburn Municipal Airport. The work is in Zones 30 and 36.
The broader project covers approximately 2.6 miles of deteriorated sewer pipe. King County says the work is intended to preserve sewer reliability, protect water quality and public health, and reduce the chance of pipe breaks or spills.
Recent overnight work on Auburn Way North
King County scheduled crews to install a temporary sewer-diversion pipe beneath Auburn Way North between 24th Street Northeast and 23rd Street Northeast from July 13 through July 17, generally between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m.
The temporary pipe is being used to keep sewer service running while crews repair the M Street Trunk. One lane in each direction was to remain open during the installation, but the county warned of construction equipment, traffic changes, possible detours, lane or sidewalk closures, overnight lighting, noise and parking restrictions.
Those July dates have passed as of Aug. 2. They describe recent documented construction activity, not a currently announced closure. King County’s project materials caution that construction schedules may change.
Utility surveys on three Auburn streets
A July 13 King County notice announced utility-location surveys beginning July 14 on O Street Northeast, 12th Street Northeast and 14th Street Northeast. Crews were expected to use vacuum trucks to dig small holes and confirm underground utility locations, with the work generally scheduled on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and expected to take about a week.
The notice said roads would remain open and driveway access would be maintained during the surveys. People in the area could still encounter temporary on-street parking restrictions, equipment, flaggers and daytime drilling noise.
Because the cited notice describes a July work window, it does not establish that the surveys remain active on Aug. 2. Drivers, pedestrians and people accessing properties should follow current signs and flagger instructions and travel slowly through active work areas.
Airport-area driveway closure was temporary
A separate King County notice documented an overnight closure beginning at 7 p.m. July 15 and lasting until 5 a.m. July 16. The closure affected the driveway to D Street Northeast at the intersection of 23rd Street Northeast and E Street Northeast near Auburn Municipal Airport while crews performed maintenance-hole rehabilitation.
Only local access was allowed in the nearby work area during that overnight period. The airport continued to have access from E Street at 30th Street Northeast and from another driveway just north of 23rd Street Northeast. The documented closure was temporary and is not presented as an active Aug. 2 restriction.
Pipe work is expected to continue through 2026
King County expects pipe rehabilitation and removal of the temporary diversion pump and pipe by the end of 2026. Restoration of driveways, streets and sidewalks is expected to continue through June 2027. Those are schedule targets and may change with construction conditions.
Normal household use of sinks, toilets and showers is expected to continue. Residents, businesses, airport users and drivers should watch for current signs, temporary parking restrictions, lane or sidewalk changes, equipment and nighttime lighting as work progresses.
King County’s M Street Trunk project page includes updates, an interactive construction map and subscription options. Questions or concerns can be directed to MStTrunkrepair@kingcounty.gov or the 24-hour construction hotline at 206-263-9878.
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