Sound Transit chose Kiewit Infrastructure West Co., for a $1.41 billion contract to design and construct a 7.8-mile light rail extension from SeaTac through Kent to Federal Way.
The Sound Transit Board approved the contract at its May 23 meeting. The System Expansion Committee recommended May 9 that the full board select Nebraska-based Kiewit, which has Washington offices in Federal Way, Seattle and Vancouver.
Three companies submitted proposals. Sound Transit staff picked Kiewit based on the technical evaluation and the price score equation, according to Sound Transit documents.
“Scored criteria included outreach efforts and commitments to small businesses; technical approach to design and construction, organization and management, and schedule and risk,” according to documents. “Additional criteria included financial capacity and capability to perform the work.”
Price proposals were not opened until technical evaluations were complete and technical scores were established, Sound Transit said. Proposal prices were scored in accordance with the price scoring equation included in the request for proposals. Kiewit came in about $300 million below the Sound Transit estimate and within the baseline budget approved by the board for the Federal Way Link Extension project.
Construction is expected to start in early 2020 and be completed in 2024, according to Sound Transit. It is anticipated that early demolition and utility relocation work will begin later this year.
Kiewit will build the light rail guideway (elevated in some areas and at-grade in others) from Angle Lake Station at South 200th Street in SeaTac to the Federal Way Transit Center at South 317th Street.
“The addition of light rail to Federal Way will give South King County residents a much-needed transit option,” said Pete von Reichbauer, King County Councilmember and Sound Transit Boardmember, in a Sound Transit news release. “The Federal Way Link Extension is a long-awaited addition to our region that encourages employers to look beyond the downtown Seattle area and will transform the way we travel for work and leisure activities.”
The design-build contract includes all work to complete final design and construction of the light rail guideway which will connect to the existing Angle Lake station in SeaTac and extend south along the west side of Interstate 5 to the Federal Way Transit Center. Kiewit will also complete final design and construction of three new light rail stations, three parking garages, the overhead catenary system, traction power substations, train control and communications, special track work, utilities and street improvements.
The light rail stations and parking garages will be in Kent/Des Moines at 30th Avenue South and Pacific Highway South; at South 272nd Street near I-5 in Kent; and at the Federal Way Transit Center.
The contract with Kiewit includes $1.28 billion with a 10 percent contingency of $128 million for a total amount not to exceed $1.41 billion.
The total cost of the Federal Way Link Extension is an estimated $3.1 billion, which includes Sound Transit’s costs for land acquisition needed to extend the line as well as 20 new light rail vehicles and other costs. Sound Transit receives most of its funding from voter-approved sales taxes, vehicle tab fees and property taxes. The agency also has applied for a $790 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to help fund the extension.
“South King County residents are one-step closer to fast and accessible light rail service, “said Sound Transit CEO Peter Rogoff. “Building this project is the culmination of years of patience by South King County residents and collaborative work with the cities of SeaTac, Kent, Des Moines and Federal Way. We also have a great partnership with WSDOT to use much of their right-of-way along I-5 to build this line.”
Sound Transit is working closely with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) on the State Route 509 Completion Project. As part of a partnership agreement, Kiewit will build a new bridge over State Route 99 near South 208th Street in the city of SeaTac as part of the first stage of the SR 509 project. Since both projects are being constructed in the same area, this joint effort will reduce impacts to the community.
Kiewit has offices in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Australia. The company offers construction and engineering services in a variety of markets including transportation, water/wastewater, power, oil, gas and chemical, building and mining. Kiewit had 2016 revenues of $8.6 billion and employs more than 20,000 staff and craft employees, according to the company’s website. Also known as Peter Kiewit and Sons, it is ranked 339th on the 2018 Fortune 500 list.
