AECOM Selected to Support Major Transit Expansion in the Seattle Region
AECOM has been chosen by Sound Transit to deliver a broad range of professional services supporting the next phase of regional transit expansion in the Seattle metropolitan area. The appointment includes design, planning, environmental, and project and construction management services under three separate multiple-award task order contracts (MATOCs). Together, these contracts form a critical framework for advancing the development, modernization, and long-term performance of the region’s light rail, commuter rail, and bus networks.
This collaboration positions AECOM at the forefront of one of the most significant transportation investment programs in the Pacific Northwest. Through its integrated service model, the company will help drive planning, engineering, environmental compliance, and project oversight activities that are essential to expanding capacity, improving reliability, and enhancing connectivity throughout the region.
Overview of the MATOC Program
The multiple-award task order contract structure enables Sound Transit to efficiently procure services from a group of pre-qualified firms across defined service categories. In total, 19 MATOCs have been issued under the broader program. Collectively, these contracts are expected to generate approximately $1 billion in engineering and professional services throughout their period of performance.
These agreements will support a wide range of initiatives across the Seattle metropolitan region. The scope includes the planning and delivery of new transit facilities, upgrades to existing infrastructure, and state-of-good-repair efforts to maintain and modernize assets currently in operation. By leveraging MATOCs, Sound Transit can streamline task assignments, accelerate project initiation, and ensure consistent technical quality across multiple concurrent initiatives.
AECOM’s selection across three MATOC categories underscores the firm’s multidisciplinary capabilities and its established reputation in delivering large-scale, system-wide transportation programs.
Leadership Role in the Design MATOC
As the prime consultant for the five-year Design MATOC, AECOM will lead civil and structural engineering services across a broad portfolio of transit projects. The scope of work ranges from preliminary engineering and conceptual development to full design advancement and detailed engineering deliverables.
This leadership role places AECOM at the center of major capital projects intended to expand and enhance the region’s transit network. The firm’s responsibilities will include developing engineering solutions that address operational efficiency, constructability, safety, and long-term performance. Work under this contract may support new alignments, stations, maintenance facilities, track systems, and supporting infrastructure across light rail and commuter rail corridors, as well as improvements to bus-related facilities.
By guiding projects from early-stage feasibility and conceptual design through advanced development, AECOM will help ensure technical consistency, cost control, and alignment with Sound Transit’s strategic mobility goals. The company’s global experience delivering complex rail and multimodal systems will inform engineering decisions that balance innovation, sustainability, and reliability.
Supporting Environmental Planning and Compliance
In addition to its prime role on the Design MATOC, AECOM will serve as a subconsultant on the Environmental MATOC. Under this contract, the firm will provide a range of planning studies and environmental services supporting both new infrastructure development and renewal initiatives.
Key responsibilities will include systemwide planning, environmental assessments, technical investigations, and environmental clearance activities. These services are essential to ensuring regulatory compliance at the local, state, and federal levels. Environmental review processes play a central role in major infrastructure projects, helping to identify potential impacts, evaluate alternatives, and establish mitigation strategies.
AECOM’s involvement in environmental planning ensures that project development aligns with sustainability objectives while minimizing ecological and community impacts. The company’s integrated approach allows environmental considerations to be addressed in coordination with engineering and design teams, improving efficiency and reducing the risk of delays.
By contributing expertise in environmental documentation and analysis, AECOM will help Sound Transit maintain momentum across multiple projects while meeting evolving regulatory requirements and stakeholder expectations.
Project and Construction Management Services
AECOM will also provide support under the Project and Construction Management (PMCM) MATOC. This contract includes oversight and management services across numerous Sound Transit initiatives, including major capital expansion programs and ongoing system enhancements.
Project and construction management activities will span schedule management, cost control, quality assurance, risk mitigation, stakeholder coordination, and contractor oversight. These services are critical for maintaining project performance, particularly in complex, multi-phase transit expansions where coordination across agencies, contractors, and community stakeholders is essential.
Through its PMCM role, AECOM will help ensure that projects are delivered on time and within budget while adhering to rigorous safety and quality standards. The firm’s multidisciplinary teams will provide integrated oversight from preconstruction planning through commissioning and closeout, supporting seamless transitions from design into active construction.
This comprehensive management capability reinforces Sound Transit’s ability to deliver high-value infrastructure investments that meet long-term mobility demands across the region.
Advancing Regional Mobility and Accessibility
The Seattle metropolitan area continues to experience population growth and increasing transportation demand. Expanding light rail, commuter rail, and bus networks is a key component of the region’s long-term mobility strategy. These investments aim to reduce congestion, improve reliability, expand access to employment centers, and promote environmentally responsible transportation alternatives.
AECOM’s involvement across design, environmental, and management services aligns with Sound Transit’s mission to enhance regional connectivity. By addressing both new construction and state-of-good-repair priorities, the program ensures that existing assets remain safe and efficient while new capacity is introduced to meet future demand.
The integration of engineering expertise, environmental stewardship, and disciplined project management will support the creation of resilient, high-performing transit infrastructure. This approach not only enhances day-to-day operations but also contributes to broader economic growth and community development across the Seattle region.
Industry Expertise and Strategic Impact
AECOM is widely recognized as a leading firm in the global transportation sector. Its extensive experience delivering complex rail and multimodal programs provides a strong foundation for supporting Sound Transit’s ambitious expansion efforts.
Company leadership has emphasized that the firm’s comprehensive service offering—spanning planning, design, environmental compliance, and project management—delivers significant value to clients undertaking large-scale infrastructure programs. By combining technical excellence with collaborative project delivery methods, AECOM aims to help agencies manage risk, optimize performance, and achieve long-term operational success.
The Seattle-area transit expansion represents a significant investment in sustainable mobility. Through its participation in three MATOC categories, AECOM will play an integral role in shaping the next generation of regional transportation infrastructure. The firm’s contributions are expected to strengthen system capacity, improve service reliability, and expand accessibility for communities throughout the metropolitan area.
As Sound Transit advances its expansion program, AECOM’s multidisciplinary involvement demonstrates a commitment to delivering infrastructure solutions that enhance mobility, promote sustainability, and support economic vitality across the Pacific Northwest.
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