Construction firms sought for Sounder commuter rail stations

Sound Transit is seeking qualified firms to build the Sounder commuter rail train stations for Sumner, Puyallup, Auburn, Kent and Tukwila. Each of the stations on the 40-mile route on existing Burlington Northern/Santa Fe tracks between Tacoma and Seattle will be individually contracted, with the invitations for bids process beginning in mid-May Sumner, Auburn and Kent, and mid-June Puyallup. Bids will be opened and reviewed beginning in mid-June. Later this summer the bid process will begin for the Tukwila station and commuter rail portion of the Tacoma Dome station, while construction of Seattle's commuter rail station is being coordinated with Amtrak's renovations at King Street Station. The overall budget for all stations is $27 million. 

While each station is being designed to reflect the character and spirit of each community, they will all share many standard features including: 600 foot concrete platforms with canopies; landscaped park and ride lots; bus transfer areas; pedestrian access improvements; safe lighting; focus on passenger safety and security; bicycle storage and designs to aid people with disabilities.

For more information on the bid process please contact Ann Hernandez at (206) 689-3381, and questions concerning small businesses and minority, women and disadvantaged enterprises please contact Glenn Shoate at (206) 398-5020.

Sound Transit is interested in proposals that demonstrate a commitment to equal employment opportunities, and encourages submitting proposals from firms employing a workforce that reflects the region's diversity. Therefore, in preparing all proposals, including disadvantaged business enterprise participation plans, proposers are reminded to allow all potential business partners an equal, non-discriminatory opportunity to compete for business as joint venture partners or subcontractors. 

Along with service between Tacoma and Seattle in late 1999, in early 2001 Sounder commuter rail will extend service north to Everett and south to Lakewood. Sounder is just one part of Sound Move, the regional transit plan approved by voters in 1996 which also includes the development of Link light rail between SeaTac and Northgate; a 1.6-mile downtown Tacoma Link line; and the Regional Express program which includes 20 new limited-stop regional bus routes and numerous improvements to transit centers, park-and-ride lots and HOV lanes throughout the region.

More information about Sound Transit is available on the Web site at www.soundtransit.org/ or write or call us at Sound Transit, 1100 Second Ave., Suite 500, Seattle WA 98101 (206) 398-5000.

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Sound Transit plans, builds and operates regional transit systems and services to improve mobility for Central Puget Sound.