Jacobs, a Dallas, Texas-based global professional services firm that specializes in delivering engineering, technical, construction, and scientific consulting services, announced on July 17 that it has been selected to provide design services for Sound Transit’s West Seattle Link Extension project. This story, was reported by RailwayAge.com.

See graphic of path for the extension

Jacobs, will spearhead Phase 1 design and design validation for the extension. This project marks another collaboration between Jacobs and Sound Transit, with Jacobs having previously delivered approximately 30 miles of light rail system expansions for the agency over the past 70 years in the Puget Sound region.

Ron Williams, Jacobs Executive Vice President, emphasized the broader impact of such projects, stating, "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".

Timeline and Funding: The project officially advanced to the design phase after the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) issued a Record of Decision approving the project in April 2025, culminating a planning phase that commenced in 2017. Construction and testing are slated to begin in 2027, with service scheduled to commence in 2032. Once operational, the extension is projected by Sound Transit to serve more than 24,000 riders per day.

Sound Transit updated the cost estimate for the project last fall, alongside the publication of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), placing it between $6.7 billion and $7.1 billion. The transit agency is actively "continuing work to inform a financially sound West Seattle Link Extension project," implementing various financial, programmatic, and project-level measures to improve affordability