Seattle construction and transit roundup: hiring contractors and project updates

Seattle, September 4, 2025

News Summary

This roundup offers homeowners a practical, step-by-step guide to hire a contractor, including defining scope, vetting, verifying licenses and comparing itemized quotes. It also covers Seattle project news: a major design firm was chosen for final design work on the West Seattle Link Extension, northbound I‑5 over the Ship Canal Bridge is reduced to two lanes for preservation work, and a local startup building quoting software for HVAC and home-service contractors raised $3.7M. Together these items highlight the importance of clear communication, accountability and local planning for better outcomes in homes and transit.

Seattle construction and transit roundup: big projects, hiring tips, and startup funding

Major design and preservation work is moving forward across Seattle while homeowners are advised to follow a clear, step-by-step approach when hiring contractors. A Dallas-based firm was selected to lead design for a light rail extension that will add 4.1 miles of track, a new bridge, a tunnel and four stations between SODO and Alaska Junction. Meanwhile, preservation work on the Ship Canal Bridge has forced reductions to northbound I‑5 traffic and lane changes continue through mid-August. In the private sector, a local startup that provides instant, personalized quotes for HVAC contractors raised fresh funding to expand its product. Below are the details and practical guidance in plain language.

West Seattle Link Extension — design award and project basics

A contractor was awarded the design contract to lead Phase 1 design and design validation for the West Seattle Link Extension. The full project is estimated to cost between $6.7 billion and $7.1 billion and will build 4.1 miles of new light rail, including a new bridge, a tunnel and four new stations linking Seattle’s SODO neighborhood with West Seattle’s Alaska Junction neighborhood.

Planning for the extension began in 2017 and route and station selections were finalized in late 2024. Federal approval earlier this year allowed the project to move into final design. Major construction is expected to begin in 2027 with service projected to start in 2032. The extension aims to improve connectivity for residents and businesses and is expected to stimulate new development near stations, including retail and affordable housing.

Ship Canal Bridge preservation work — I‑5 northbound impacts

State highway crews closed northbound I‑5 through parts of Seattle for weekend prep work and then reduced northbound traffic to two lanes around the clock through Aug. 15 as part of a preservation program. Weekend activities included restriping, installing 15 drainage structures, prepping expansion joints and setting up a two-lane work zone with concrete barriers. Inspectors also checked bridges, repaired lighting and patched potholes.

During the work period the speed limit over the Ship Canal Bridge work zone was lowered to 50 mph. Roughly 20% of the bridge deck is slated for resurfacing in the next four weeks along with expansion joint replacement and continued drainage upgrades. Northbound express lanes are operating to provide extra capacity until mid-August, while some southbound access to express lanes during morning hours is restricted and drivers should expect delays or plan alternate travel times. Work will shift to southbound lanes in the fall and winter, with exact dates to be announced later.

Contractor hiring: a plain-language guide for homeowners

Construction projects demand time, money and trust. Hiring the wrong contractor can cause delays, cost overruns or poor results. The right professional makes the process smoother and improves the chance of lasting quality. Follow these steps to separate the best contractors from the rest:

• Define your project: Before contacting contractors, write down the scope, your budget range, desired timeline and basic design preferences. Know whether the job is a full remodel, a specialist task or a mix.
• Decide the needed expertise: Determine if you need a general contractor, a specialist (for example, roofing or HVAC) or both. A kitchen remodel may need a contractor with cabinetry and plumbing expertise; a new roof requires structural and weatherproofing knowledge. Local specialties like durable siding services for Seattle weather or custom-built patios for suburban yards are common.
• Research and referrals: Ask friends, family or neighbors for referrals on similar projects. Check online reviews and community forums for reputations and common complaints.
• Verify credentials: Use professional directories, licensing boards and trade associations to confirm licenses and permits. Specialized certifications or industry memberships can indicate higher professionalism.
• Shortlist and compare: Create a shortlist of at least three to five contractors so you can compare approaches, pricing and communication styles.
• Review experience and references: Ask about past projects similar in size and scope. Review portfolios and speak directly to former clients about communication, problem-solving and meeting deadlines.
• Confirm insurance and permits: Make sure contractors carry general liability and workers’ compensation insurance. Request proof of coverage and confirm they obtain required local permits. Hiring someone without proper credentials can create legal and safety risks.
• Ask for itemized quotes: Request detailed estimates that break out labor, materials, permits and potential additional expenses. Beware of bids that are significantly cheaper than others — those may hide low-quality materials, rushed labor or later add-on fees.
• Assess timelines and communication: A realistic timeline often means the contractor has considered project demands. From the first contact, note responsiveness and clarity. Ask how day-to-day project management will be handled—software tools, regular updates or weekly check-ins.
• Focus on relationship: Technical skill matters, but a strong working relationship and clear communication are equally important for a successful outcome.

Start by defining needs, research thoroughly, evaluate experience, verify credentials, compare itemized quotes and choose a contractor who communicates well and respects your vision. Across jobs from siding to large remodels, prioritize quality, accountability and trust to get durable results.

Local startup funding — software for home contractors

A Seattle-based startup that builds software to help residential contractors, especially HVAC firms, raised $3.7 million in a recent funding round led by an investor focused on climate and efficiency. Other firms joined the round. The company, founded in 2021 and led by an engineer-turned-founder, has an eight-person team and has now raised about $4.9 million in total.

Its product uses home square footage, year built, equipment matches and local rebate data to generate instant, personalized quotes intended to increase sales for contractors and create a more transparent buying experience for homeowners.

FAQ

Key features at a glance

Topic	Key facts	Impact
West Seattle Link Extension	4.1 miles, 4 stations, bridge and tunnel, $6.7–$7.1B estimate, design moving to final phase	Improved transit connectivity and potential for local development near stations
Ship Canal Bridge (I‑5) work	Northbound reduced to two lanes through Aug. 15, speed limit 50 mph, 20% deck resurfacing in next four weeks	Traffic delays, altered express lane access, later work planned for southbound lanes
Contractor hiring guidance	Define project, verify licenses/insurance, get itemized quotes, check references, shortlist 3–5	Lower risk of cost overruns, delays and unsatisfactory results
Contractor-focused software	Startup raised $3.7M; software creates instant, personalized HVAC quotes using property and rebate data	Faster quoting, more transparent pricing, potential sales uplift for contractors

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

Additional Resources

• The Seattle Times
• Wikipedia: Labor shortage
• Construction Dive
• Google Search: West Seattle Link Extension
• KING 5
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Ship Canal Bridge
• GeekWire
• Google News: EDEN startup Seattle
• Daily Journal of Commerce (Seattle)
• Google Scholar: Hiring contractors best practices