Partnering With Sound Transit: Past, Present, And Future
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As the regional transit agency of the Puget Sound region in Washington state, Sound Transit has been building an expansive light rail system over the past three decades, supported by funding measures approved by local voters in 1996, 2008, and 2016. We have collaborated with Sound Transit on major projects that have shaped the system’s infrastructure, stations, and operational capabilities.
Our work with Sound Transit spans early-stage planning, infrastructure delivery, safety improvements, and system modernization for future rail facilities
We have collaborated on projects that extend service to new communities while strengthening the reliability and capacity of the broader Link light rail system.
Streamlining Delivering Of The Federal Way Link Extension
One of the newest additions to the regional light rail system is the Federal Way Link Extension, which opened for service on December 6, 2025. We served as the lead designer for this 7.8-mile expansion extending light rail service south from Angle Lake Station to the Federal Way Transit Center. The project features three elevated stations that connect directly with new park-and-ride garages, regional bus services, and pedestrian networks.
We managed overall design coordination and drew on our broad base of design expertise to deliver design plans for elevated guideway structures, stations and parking garages, tracks, power and train controls, communications systems, roadway improvements, drainage infrastructure, and utility relocations.
We also developed a sustainability plan that led to Envision Platinum recognition for Sound Transit and collaborated with artists selected by Sound Transit to integrate public artwork into the stations and station plazas.
Collaboration has been central to the success of the project. Operating within a design-build model, we worked closely with construction partners and Sound Transit staff to streamline project delivery and enable early construction activities to begin while design continued. Through a series of alternative technical concepts and design optimizations, our team reduced construction duration, improved safety, and simplified long-term maintenance needs for the agency.
Collaborating On Design And Construction Of The East Link Extension
On March 28, 2026, Sound Transit opened the Crosslake Connection, which is the final piece of the multiphase, 14-mile project connecting the east side of Puget Sound to Seattle. We provided preliminary engineering for track and systems for the Downtown Redmond Link phase at the east end of the project, and our construction group served as a joint venture partner on construction of the South Bellevue extension, including 2.2 miles of light rail guideway and the South Bellevue Station multimodal hub.
The project required complex construction next to major roadways, including a long-span aerial structure over Interstate 90, which was built using a balanced cantilever construction method to minimize disruption to traffic.
Planning, Coordination, And Design For The Everett Link Extension
We are also supporting planning and project development as a major subconsultant and engineering services lead for the Everett Link Extension and the Operations and Maintenance Facility North. This 16-mile extension north of Seattle will connect Snohomish County residents to the regional Link light rail network, including service to the Boeing Company’s Everett Production facility and the surrounding industrial center.
We have supported the development and evaluation of alignment alternatives, station concepts, and potential maintenance facility locations. The work includes coordination with regional agencies, feasibility studies, and conceptual designs that inform environmental review and stakeholder engagement.
Rail Systems Expertise To Support Modernization And Safety Enhancements
In addition to our history of collaboration with Sound Transit, we have supported critical infrastructure technology improvements, bringing global experience in rail systems technology to modernize transit operations for clients across our footprint. We have helped agencies around the world evaluate and implement advanced train control systems such as communications-based train control (CBTC), which uses continuous train-to-wayside communication and precise train location data to support safe, efficient operations.
We have conducted similar modernization efforts for transit agencies including Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), where we helped develop strategy, requirements, and procurement documentation for a systemwide CBTC program designed to increase capacity and improve reliability.
Similarly, we have been providing program and construction management services for the New Marseille Metro (NEOMMA) in Marseille, France, featuring new rolling stock, CBTC system, and communications upgrades for unmanned train operation.
As a design consultant to Sound Transit, we were recently selected for two task order contracts that will draw on this systems expertise, including the design of train control and signal upgrades associated with new pedestrian gates for a five-mile segment that operates at grade adjacent to mixed traffic, and support for enhanced collision avoidance detection systems planned for Sound Transit’s light rail vehicle fleet.
A Continuing Partnership With Sound Transit
Recently, we secured a prime contractor position on Sound Transit’s 2025 $1 billion ceiling multiple-award task order contract (MATOC) for design services. This five-year contract, with two potential one-year extensions, will support Sound Transit’s $60 billion capital program, one of the largest transportation infrastructure initiatives in North America.
Under this MATOC, we will provide architecture, engineering, and related services for a wide range of projects, including light rail extensions, system resiliency and sustainability improvements, and state-of-good-repair initiatives. We also hold subcontractor positions on Sound Transit’s MATOCs for environmental and program management/construction management services.
Our global perspective complements our long-standing support for Sound Transit’s infrastructure, expansion program, and operational needs. With our ongoing work on the Everett Link Extension and the broad range of services we can provide to Sound Transit through its multiple-award task order contracts for environmental, design, and program management services, we look forward to continuing this successful partnership.