Federal Way Link Extension – Sound Transit

Akana served as part of the Design-Build Project Management (DBPM) team for Sound Transit’s nearly $2 billion Federal Way Link Extension, a 7.8-mile light rail project connecting South King County communities to the regional transit system. The project aimed to improve mobility and expand access to reliable public transportation.

Akana’s primary role focused on utility coordination and oversight along the alignment, supporting critical pre-construction and early construction-phase activities to keep the project on schedule and avoid conflicts with existing infrastructure. Responsibilities included verifying and clarifying utility agreements, reviewing franchise utility design packages, assisting in conflict resolution, and supporting efforts to expose utilities to confirm field conditions. Akana also facilitated communication among the design-build contractor, Sound Transit, design teams, and multiple Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs), including local cities, utility providers, and permitting agencies.

Akana’s expertise in construction phasing, utility sequencing, and agency expectations helped streamline coordination and reduce potential delays. The team supported constructability reviews and provided recommendations to align final design with field realities, minimizing future conflicts and change orders. Akana continues to assist Sound Transit with temporary field inspection assignments during peak workloads, leveraging its experience with complex infrastructure and strong stakeholder relationships to ensure project success.