2025 Seattle Infrastructure Forum Agenda
October 20, 2025
Welcome Address and Opening Remarks
Scott Seltz, Publisher, ENR
Setting the Stage for the Incoming Infrastructure Surge
Sound Transit's deputy CEO for megaproject delivery will hold a fireside chat with high-level Seattle leaders about the future of engineering and construction in the region and the major goals and challenges.
Panelists: Claudia Balducci, Vice Chair & Board Member, Sound Transit
Julie Meredith, Secretary of Transportation, Washington State Department of Transportation
Building Capacity for Seattle Region Projects
As the Seattle region prepares for vast amounts of construction, such as Sound Transit megaprojects, economic and workforce challenges abound. These include navigating complex funding, building reliable supply chains and attracting and retaining talent.
Panelists: Monty Anderson, Executive Secretary, Seattle Building Trades
Lars Erickson, SVP of Public Affairs, Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce
Ollie Garrett, President & CEO, Tabor 100 | President & CEO, PMT Solutions
Rachel Smith, President/CEO, Washington Roundtable
King County Wastewater Treatment Division
Washington State Ferries
Washington State Ferries (WSF), the nation’s largest ferry system, is undertaking a multi-billion-dollar program to rebuild and modernize its fleet and terminals with the goal of full hybrid-electric conversion by 2040. This landmark initiative will reduce emissions, strengthen system resiliency, and lower operations and maintenance costs while ensuring reliable service for millions of riders. Beyond environmental benefits, the program will play a pivotal role in driving economic growth throughout the Puget Sound region. Join this session to hear how WSF is charting the course toward a cleaner, more efficient, and sustainable future for ferry transportation.
Interstate Bridge Replacement
The Interstate 5 corridor is a critical lifeline for the region and the nation, connecting Oregon and Washington to support jobs and move billions in goods each year. To meet the needs of today’s travelers and tomorrow’s growth, the Interstate Bridge Replacement (IBR) Program is planning a modern, earthquake-resilient bridge across the Columbia River. IBR Program Administrator Greg Johnson will provide an update on important milestones, funding, and the environmental process, as well as the work that the team is undertaking to prepare for construction.
Sound Transit
Updates on the West Seattle Link Extension, Ballard Link Extension, Tacoma Dome Link Extension, Everett Link Extension and Operations Maintenance Facilities
Michael Morgan, Executive Director, Sound Transit
Brad Owen, Executive Director, Sound Transit
Expanding Horizons in Sound Collaborative Project Delivery
Seattle is leading transformative infrastructure investments, with $64 billion in projects from Sound Transit, WSDOT, and the Port of Seattle over the next twenty-five years. Agencies are exploring potentially better ways to deliver many of these projects through alternative/collaborative project delivery methods such as progressive design-build. Hear from key executives about lessons learned from previous projects and what contractors might expect when pursuing future projects with agencies.
Sponsored By
Panelists: Tim Cupples, Assistant Vice President of Project Development & Planning Services, Capital Delivery, Amtrak
Bernadette McDermott, Executive Director, Capital Delivery, Sound Transit
Lisa Taylor, Project Planning and Delivery Section Manager, King County Wastewater Treatment Division
Janice Zahn, Chief Engineer, Port of Seattle
WSDOT Cascadia High-Speed Rail and I-5 Program
Port of Seattle
Update on the Port's five-year Capital Improvement Program
Stuart Mathews, Assistant Director, Aviation Project Management Group, Port of Seattle
Closing Keynote
Hear Sound Transit CEO Dow Constantine reflect on the exciting opportunities in the region and our ability to collaborate for transformative results.
Closing Remarks
Join us after a full day of learning for a celebratory networking reception! Enjoy light hors d’oeuvres, sip on cocktails, and connect with top Seattle agencies and fellow professionals. Let’s raise a glass together as we toast to the success of our inaugural year.
Networking Reception
Join us after a full day of learning for a celebratory networking reception! Enjoy light hors d’oeuvres, sip on cocktails, and connect with top Seattle agencies and fellow professionals. Let’s raise a glass together as we toast to the success of our inaugural year.
Setting the Stage for the Incoming Infrastructure Surge
Sound Transit's deputy CEO for megaproject delivery will hold a fireside chat with high-level Seattle leaders about the future of engineering and construction in the region and the major goals and challenges.
Moderator:
Panelists:
Program Spotlight - Interstate Bridge Replacement
The Interstate 5 corridor is a critical lifeline for the region and the nation, connecting Oregon and Washington to support jobs and move billions in goods each year. To meet the needs of today’s travelers and tomorrow’s growth, the Interstate Bridge Replacement (IBR) Program is planning a modern, earthquake-resilient bridge across the Columbia River. IBR Program Administrator Greg Johnson will provide an update on important milestones, funding, and the environmental process, as well as the work that the team is undertaking to prepare for construction.
Presenter:
Program Spotlight - Port of Seattle
Update on the Port's five-year Capital Improvement Program
Presenters:
Program Spotlight - Sound Transit
Updates on the West Seattle Link Extension, Ballard Link Extension, Tacoma Dome Link Extension, Everett Link Extension and Operations Maintenance Facilities
Presenters:
Building Capacity for Seattle Region Projects
As the Seattle region prepares for vast amounts of construction, such as Sound Transit megaprojects, economic and workforce challenges abound. These include navigating complex funding, building reliable supply chains and attracting and retaining talent.
Moderator:
Panelists:
Capital Program Spotlight - Washington State Ferries
Washington State Ferries (WSF), the nation’s largest ferry system, is undertaking a multi-billion-dollar program to rebuild and modernize its fleet and terminals with the goal of full hybrid-electric conversion by 2040. This landmark initiative will reduce emissions, strengthen system resiliency, and lower operations and maintenance costs while ensuring reliable service for millions of riders. Beyond environmental benefits, the program will play a pivotal role in driving economic growth throughout the Puget Sound region. Join this session to hear how WSF is charting the course toward a cleaner, more efficient, and sustainable future for ferry transportation.
Presenter:
Capital Program Spotlight - King County Wastewater Treatment Division
Presenter:
Expanding Horizons in Sound Collaborative Project Delivery
Seattle is leading transformative infrastructure investments, with $64 billion in projects from Sound Transit, WSDOT, and the Port of Seattle over the next twenty-five years. Agencies are exploring potentially better ways to deliver many of these projects through alternative/collaborative project delivery methods such as progressive design-build. Hear from key executives about lessons learned from previous projects and what contractors might expect when pursuing future projects with agencies.
Moderator:
Panelists:
Hear Sound Transit CEO Dow Constantine reflect on the exciting opportunities in the region and our ability to collaborate for transformative results.
Program Spotlight - WSDOT Cascadia High Speed Rail and I-5 Program
Presenter:
Program Spotlight - U.S. Navy - Bremerton Program
Highlighting the modernization and upgrades that are part of the Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program