Earth Tech venture wins Sound Transit rail contract

An Earth Tech joint venture was awarded a $38.9 million contract by Seattle-based Sound Transit for the final design of the University Link light rail extension. The 3.15-mile extension will run from downtown Seattle to the University of Washington. In addition to the Long Beach, Calif.-based engineering firm, the joint venture (Northlink Transit Partners) consists of HNTB and San Francisco-based consultant Jacobs Associates. Earth Tech’s responsibilities will include providing project control systems, managing the design of two rail stations, tunnel ventilation, mechanical and electrical systems. The final design project includes a tunnel that travels under the Lake Washington Ship Canal. The project is expected to take two years to complete. Construction is scheduled to begin Fall 2008, with service starting in 2016.