Sound Transit selected Jacobs to provide design services for West Seattle LRT extension, which will enhance connectivity for residential and economic centres and offering faster, more reliable service.
The West Seattle LRT extension will add 6.6 km of light rail, a new bridge, tunnel and four new stations, connecting Seattle’s SoDo neighborhood with West Seattle’s Alaska Junction neighborhood. Jacobs will lead Phase 1 design and design validation for the extension. The extension will be served by three new stops.
The extension will be mostly in underground tunnels with some elevated sections, including a deep tunnel under the Duwamish River, one of the most challenging parts of the project.
“Transport 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,” Jacobs Executive Vice President Ron Williams said.
Works are scheduled to start in 2027, and the line is expected to begin service in 2032, the West Seattle LRT extension will reduce travel times on key lines by up to 50%.
The project is expected to cost between USD 6.7 and USD 7.1 billion, with funding allocated from Sound Transit’s 2016 voter-approved ST3 plan.
The extension will also offer commuters an alternative to the West Seattle Bridge during periods of peak demand. The delivery of this piece of critical infrastructure will also be the catalyst for new development near stations, including retail opportunities and a focus on affordable housing.
This is a major light rail expansion project in Seattle, Washington, designed to extend Sound Transit’s Link light rail service from downtown Seattle to West Seattle and South Seattle. It aims to improve transit access, reduce traffic congestion, and connect more neighborhoods to the regional transit network.
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