Jacobs Named Design Partner for West Seattle Link
Sound Transit has appointed Jacobs to provide design and design validation services for the planned 6.6 km West Seattle Link Extension.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Remote Work
Sound Transit appointed Jacobs to provide design and design validation services for the West Seattle Link Extension, a 6.6 km light rail project running from a junction south of the existing SODO stop. The appointment was reported in connection with Jacobs executive comments on the project's community value on July 17, 2025.
Why it matters
The extension is intended to give West Seattle an alternative to the West Seattle road bridge during periods of peak demand, a corridor that residents in Seattle rely on daily. Project goals include shorter travel times and support for retail and affordable housing near new stations.
The extension totals 6.6 km and includes a 520 m cable-stayed bridge over the Duwamish River and a 900 m tunnel, with a stated goal of cutting travel times by up to 50%. The contract value and final design specifications have not been disclosed.
The players
Sound Transit
Sound Transit is the regional transit agency serving the Seattle area, operating Link light rail and other regional transit services across King, Pierce and Snohomish counties.
Jacobs
Jacobs is a global engineering, architecture and consulting firm that provides design, project delivery and technical services for infrastructure projects worldwide.
The details
The project includes stops at SODO, Delridge, Avalon and Alaska Junction, with the line crossing the Duwamish River on a cable-stayed bridge and passing through a tunnel. Jacobs' role covers design and design validation, while Sound Transit oversees the overall project.
Timeline
July 17, 2025: Jacobs executives comment on the project's community value.
2027: Major construction is planned to begin.
2032: Opening of the extension is envisaged.
Market Landscape
The West Seattle Link Extension extends Sound Transit's Link light rail network, the regional expansion that ties Seattle neighborhoods to a growing rail system. The project adds a rail alternative to the West Seattle road bridge, a corridor that has long constrained travel between the peninsula and downtown.
Commuters in West Seattle may eventually gain a rail option that bypasses the West Seattle road bridge during peak travel periods. Until construction and opening, residents should continue relying on current bus and road routes.
The takeaway
Seattle's transit planning is shifting toward rail links that reduce dependence on congested bridges. Residents in the corridor should watch for construction milestones as the 2027 start approaches.
What happens next
Major construction on the West Seattle Link Extension is planned to begin in 2027, with opening envisaged for 2032.
Further reading
For related coverage on how commuting patterns shape transit demand, see Remote Work in Seattle.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Railway Gazette International.
