City of Seattle officials announce they had chosen Jacobs to design the Sound Transit’s West Seattle Link Extension expanding the city’s light rail network and enhancing its connectivity.
Jacobs will lead the Phase 1 design and design validation for the West Seattle Link Extension, officials said. The project will add 4.1 miles of light rail connecting the city’s SODO neighborhood with West Seattle’s Alaska Junction neighborhood, as well as add four new stations, a new bridge and a new tunnel.
“Jacobs has delivered some of Puget Sound’s most critical transportation solutions for 70 years, including approximately 30 miles of light rail system expansions for Sound Transit,” Ron Williams, Jacobs executive vice president said. “Transportation infrastructure enhances mobility and provides vital economic growth and community opportunities. The West Seattle Link Extension will serve as a gateway to the community, with streetscapes and public spaces that resonate with residents, while reducing travel times and improving access to jobs, education and services in the Seattle area.”
The West Seattle Link Extension will begin service in 2032, officials expect, and is hoped to reduce travel times on key lines by up to 50 percent. The extension will also offer commuters with an alternative to the West Seattle Bridge during peak travel times. Officials said the delivery of extension will be a catalyst of new development near stations.
Jacobs provides end-to-end services in advanced manufacturing, cities, energy, environmental, life sciences, transportation and water, and reports an estimated $12 billion in annual revenue and a team of almost 45,000.