06/04/2026
It's hard to believe these photos were taken more than 20 years ago.
At the time, C700 was just another job we were trying to get built safely, correctly, and on schedule.
Looking back now, it was so much more than that.
This was Seattle's first mile of light rail. Long before Link became part of everyday life for thousands of commuters, crews were out here building the guideway, installing post-tensioning, and laying the foundation for what the system would become.
I was 23 years old, learning the trade under great mentors like Don Zazinsky, working alongside the brothers and sisters of Ironworkers Local 86, Huitt-Zollars, Kiewit and seeing firsthand what good engineering and good leadership looked like.
Some projects stay with you.
Not because they're the biggest or most complicated, but because they shape who you become.
Twenty years later, I'm still grateful to have been a small part of a project that continues to serve the Seattle community every day.
-Shaun Thompson