Demolition of several structures to make way for the Downtown Bellevue tunnel is nearly underway, according to Sound Transit.

The transportation agency has permanently shut down Southeast First Place and several former homes and businesses around the road as it prepares to demolish them. Temporary fencing and erosion control work are already in place, and the contractor crew could begin preparing each structure for destruction by this week.

A tunnel designed to take light rail from south Bellevue to City Hall will head underground near the demolition zone before emerging above ground on Northeast Sixth Street adjacent to Bellevue City Hall.

Work on the demolition will include a generator running 24 hours a day to power and air exchange unit. The generator is insulated and will be shrouded to reduce noise but could make ambient noise for nearby residents. Work will occur between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

The contractor could spend as long as five weeks preparing for demolition, actually tearing down the structures sometime in May.