Top level of Kent Station parking garage closed for repairs

Sound Transit has closed the top level of the Kent Station parking garage for at least the next three weeks for repairs.

The agency is asking commuters to use the James Street Park & Ride, 902. W. James St., and walk the half-mile to the station or catch Metro bus 150, 166 or 180. The closure started Monday and continues for the next three weeks.

Many Sounder train commuters use the garage. Sound Transit plans to open a second parking garage in Kent by 2023 with about 500 spaces.

A Sound Transit board approved a $439,283 contract in May to repair the top deck. Kirkland-based Leewens Corp., will repair, re-coat and re-stripe approximately two-thirds (40,000 square feet) of the upper deck and ramp of the structure at 301 Railroad Ave. N., according to Sound Transit documents. The agency repaired the other one-third of the deck four years ago.

“The structure is degrading rapidly due to breeches in the concrete drive panels, allowing water in and rust to form on the structural reinforcement,” according to Sound Transit. “The repairs and re-coating will help preserve the structure and prevent further damage.”

Since its construction in 2001, the Kent Station garage has suffered from water intrusion that has affected the support columns and upper deck of the structure, according to Sound Transit documents. In 2014, Sound Transit hired a contractor to repair and re-coat approximately one-third of the upper deck, the worst portion of the garage, to reduce water intrusion.

The repair work has performed very well; however, degradation of the rest of the deck continues. This project will complete the upper decking and repair the support columns to help preserve this asset out to its intended lifespan.