June 23, 2026
Kittelson’s newest office enters its second year in the Puget Sound region of Washington state—an area characterized by its array of saltwater bays, islands, and peninsulas carved out by prehistoric glaciers. Over the years, our team has partnered with agencies and communities throughout Washington on transportation planning, multimodal design, operations, and long-range planning efforts. As that work has continued to grow across the Puget Sound region, so has our enthusiasm to establish a presence and respond to arising needs with the fluency of a local.
“We’ve had long-standing relationships with clients throughout Washington, and this office allows us to be closer to the communities we serve while continuing to grow alongside the region,” says Darren Hippenstiel.
A Region Defined by Choice
Few regions have demonstrated as much sustained support for transportation investment as Puget Sound. Over the past several decades, voters and local agencies have consistently backed projects that expand mobility options, improve safety, and strengthen connections between communities. These investments have helped shape a transportation network that includes the largest ferry system in the country, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, bus rapid transit, multimodal corridors, and a growing light rail system. “There’s a real interest here in giving people more ways to get around,” Darren said. “High-capacity transit projects are moving forward, but there’s also a lot of attention on the local connections that make those systems work, whether that’s walking, biking, or accessing transit safely and comfortably. That broader conversation about mobility is something I’m excited to be part of.”
Recent transit expansions, including the Sound Transit East Link light rail extension and future planned projects, reflect a long-term commitment to providing people with more travel options. At the same time, local agencies continue to invest in the neighborhood-level improvements that help people safely access those services. Together, these efforts point to a regional vision that values flexibility, access, and choice.
The focus on expanding transportation choices is one of the reasons why Puget Sound is an exciting place to work. Our staff lead research and policy development at the national level through our engagement with NCHRP projects, the Transportation Research Board, and several other organizations—which keep us connected to the latest best practices. Because Kittelson operates as “one firm in many locations,” the people developing transportation guidance and research are often the same people implementing them on your projects. This allows us to bring national insights to local work while still staying grounded in the unique needs and priorities of each community we serve.
Meet the Kittelson Puget Sound Contact
Darren Hippenstiel is a project manager and roadway engineer with 23 years of experience leading roadway enhancements, corridor design, interchange design, and multimodal infrastructure projects. Throughout his career, he has worked on every phase of project development, from early planning through final design and construction support, and he’s passionate about helping communities achieve their transportation goals.
Darren was born and raised in Oregon and is no stranger to the Puget Sound. His dad moved to the region when he was 13 and he spent a lot of time crabbing at the docks in Mukilteo, riding ferries to the islands, and further exploring the northwest. He’s even designed several airfield and roadway pavements around the region earlier in his career. If you’ve taxied at Paine Field or driven I-405 north through Renton, maybe you’ve seen them!
Darren is driven by a desire to expand our Washington presence and create new opportunities for the firm by giving staff another place where they can see themselves growing in their careers. The region’s commitment to transportation solutions, multimodal connectivity, and safety creates an exciting opportunity to be part of what’s next.
Let’s Connect!
Our office is currently located in Kirkland, Washington, just across Lake Washington from downtown Seattle. As we continue to deepen our local presence and staff going into year two, we’re excited to contribute to a region that’s actively shaping its transportation future and working on projects that reflect our goal of making travel easier, safer, and more reliable for people across the region. You can reach out to Darren directly to connect and share ideas!