Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA/KSEA), United States of America

Seattle Tacoma International Airport has gone through many renovation and expansion projects over the past ten years. As a result of increased use of the airport, a new parallel runway has been planned for construction. This third runway project is estimated to cost $773m and is expected to be completed by 2008.

There have been various delays since construction first started due to objections to the building of the new runway from residents living near the airport and also due to design changes and environmental concerns. It is estimated the delays have cost $25m and two years, as the runway was due to be completed by 2006.

Washington State Department of Ecology initially refused the Port of Seattle a wetland and water quality permit it needed to begin third-runway construction. Following the resolution of most of the court cases and wetlands mitigation issues the construction was resumed in the Spring of 2004.

RUNWAY

Financing for the runway is coming from landing fees paid by the airlines, passenger facility charges (a fee paid on each ticket purchased), bonds issued by the port of Seattle and Federal grants. In July 2004 the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted an additional $61.9m towards the third runway's environmental mitigation costs. This brings the total FAA contribution to the project to $278.4m.

It is expected that the new runway will help Seattle Tacoma sharply reduce flight delays and give the airport the ability to remain efficient in nearly all types of weather.

When there are low clouds (about 44% of the time), the airport can use only one of its two existing runways for arrivals. The result is that all arriving air traffic is directed onto one runway, which causes delays. When incoming flights are delayed, airlines face added fuel and personnel costs. Travellers bear the cost of missed connections while stranded, which in turn costs airlines and travellers millions of dollars each year.

A third runway will allow landings on two runways at the same time in all but the worst weather, reducing both delays and costs for passengers and airlines.

AIRPORT PROJECT

TTI Constructors LLC is the prime contractor for the project. The $1.2bn project consists of five main phases. These are:

Phase 1 – property acquisition

In order to clear the construction site, the port will purchase and remove about 530 houses, relocating about 1,000 people and a few commercial buildings in the construction area. Steps have been taken to make this process fair and compassionate for property owners and renters. Much litigation has come from this process.

Phase 2 – embankment

Fill material will raise the third runway site up to the airfield elevation. Special temporary highway on-off ramps will help minimise the traffic impact in the area.

Environmental protection measures include a variety of best management practices, monitoring and stringent storm-water management measures to help protect nearby creeks from run-off during wet weather.

Phase 3 – airfield

A new parallel taxiway, connecting taxiways, aircraft exits and utilities are part of the new airfield construction. These features will serve the new runway, which will be 8,500ft long and 18in thick, built atop the new fill area. The surrounding area will be landscaped.

Phase 4 – FAA facilities and navigational aids

Relocated FAA ground radar for use during bad weather and communication antennas will serve all three runways. A sophisticated air navigation system, weather-reporting equipment and approach lights will also be installed.

Phase 5 – wetlands mitigation

During construction of the runway, a group of small wetlands on the west side of the airport will be filled. To compensate for filling these areas, permits are being obtained and major steps taken to protect and restore nearby creeks. In addition, 36ac of new wetlands and 15ac of non-wetland buffer will be built for wildlife habitat on the Green River in Auburn.

AIRPORT EXPANSIONS AND UPGRADES

The airport has undergone a series of expansions and upgrades since 1991. Included in these upgrades are a $53m expansion adding 3,000 stalls to the south end of the existing garage, construction of a $19.6m new traffic control tower, a $15m restroom renovation project for the entire airport and major works on the satellite transit system.

The transit system is scheduled to have all of its trains replaced. This is in addition to extensive rehabilitation of the existing infrastructure serving the system.

Seattle Tacoma's concourse A has also undergone a major redevelopment project, which involved doubling the number of gates serving the concourse, widening the concourse, adding conference facilities, upgrading the baggage system and improving office spaces.

This project also includes renovation work done on the infrastructure of the airport's main terminal building, providing a greater variety of retail, dining and entertainment opportunities.