Sea-Tac Overhaul Too Overwhelming Airport Officials Say They Need To Slow Down Construction

Plans to spend $1.7 billion over the next decade to revamp Seattle-Tacoma International Airport are too ambitious and could disrupt airlines and passengers, airport planners say.

A memorandum by Sea-Tac director Gina Marie Lindsey and other top airport officials that was given to Port of Seattle commissioners Tuesday says the building projects overwhelm existing resources and need to be slowed down.

Rebuilding airport roads and expanding the garage could slow traffic, expanding the main terminal could shift gate assignments, and work on the airfield could delay takeoffs and landings, the memo says.

The request for a second look at the capital improvement work came as Sea-Tac reported a record 24.7 million passengers used the airport last year, the 15th year in a row that passenger traffic has increased. Cargo shipped through the airport increased by 1.4 percent.

Lindsey and Michael Feldman, director of aviation professional and staff services, say in the memo that a number of new facilities have to be built soon. But they say the work schedule needs to be readjusted if all the construction is to be completed on time and at the lowest cost.

The Sea-Tac officials say they will ask port commissioners for more money within authorized budget limits later this month.

More than 100 construction projects are planned at Sea-Tac over the next 10 years, ranging from a $587million third runway to remodeling restrooms.

Other projects include rebuilding the subway that links the main and satellite terminals, spending $49million to improve the main terminal, spending $65.3 million to expand the garage and air-conditioning facilities, and rebuilding the airport’s roads.

The Federal Aviation Administration plans to build a new $20 million control tower north of the main terminal. Construction is to start in March 1999 with completion in 2002.