Downtown Redmond Link Extension

Stacy Witbeck is the managing joint venture partner responsible for this design-build project for a 3.4-mile extension of Sound Transit’s Eastlink Extension serving Redmond, Washington. The turnkey project included designing the infrastructure, track, and systems through all installations and testing. These included a Safety Certification to provide Sound Transit a ready for public use alignment.

Part of Sound Transit’s initiative to massively expand public transit throughout the region in an equitable manner, the project entailed huge coordination efforts to accomplish the large-scale infrastructure creation. Work includes at-grade and aerial trackwork, and cut-and-cover segments, with two stations and a 1600-stall parking garage. A new pedestrian bridge that connects two regional trails together was also created, along with wetland restoration in the area. Three arterial roadway bridges, with two new highway ramps, and three guideway bridge structures were also created.

MRS also helped provide complete systems power, including OCS installation, three TPSS buildings, Signals, TCS, Communications and all testing and commissioning and safety and security certification for revenue service.

The project begins at the Microsoft Corporation headquarters at 40th street, runs along SR520, crosses that freeway at a major interchange, serving Marymoor Village next to Marymoor Park and travels to downtown Redmond serving the residential and retail centers. 

Significant challenges included construction in a narrow right of way with live traffic, adjacent to and across sensitive wetlands and creeks, along a large municipal park, and through the downtown area. The entire project team was also able to overcome significant hurdles while retaining the project schedule, including the COVID pandemic and a regional concrete strike.