As elected officials, we are committed to serving the public good. That requires us not only to think beyond what’s needed for our communities to thrive today but also to focus on long-term planning for current and future residents. That is why we both support the Port of Seattle’s proposed second terminal at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
The growth of our region over the last few decades — more jobs, more people, more economic activity — has been a net positive to our region. But anyone who has tried to purchase a house or drive on a highway recently knows that growth can also cause challenges if it’s not properly accommodated through good policies and sufficient infrastructure investments. Smart planning includes ensuring that this region maintains a world-class airport capable of serving our resident’s needs, both for today and tomorrow.
This year, the airport will handle approximately 53 million passengers, and the Port projects that it will see 57 million passengers annually within the decade. Sea-Tac has done an excellent job maximizing capacity within its existing facilities, but there are physical limits to an airport that was built to comfortably accommodate 30 million passengers. When those limits are reached, the airport becomes a bottleneck on growth; our region cannot thrive if it cannot move people and goods efficiently.
Both of our cities rely on a world-class airport. For communities like Kent, our manufacturing, aerospace, logistics and warehousing industries rely on the ability to move people and goods efficiently throughout the region and around the world. Similarly, places like Redmond benefit from an innovation economy that relies on talent from around the world, and so we need to be able to easily and reliably connect skill with opportunity. The Port of Seattle’s new terminal will help open new doors for all of our community members, visitors, and the next generation of global industry.
The proposed second terminal isn’t just about adding 19 gates for airplanes, although that addition is welcome news to anyone who has had to wait on the tarmac for an extended period of time after a long flight. It will also add new lanes on the roadway, more curbside for pick up and drop off, a new parking garage, and additional Transportation Security Administration checkpoints. In short, it is the right solution for the current frustrations and challenges of our airport. We also appreciate that this proposal is fiscally responsible, funded entirely through airport revenue and grants.
Some have asked whether expansion will increase air traffic. The truth is that the growth is going to come regardless of whether the airport has a second terminal or not. A second terminal means the airport can process those travelers more efficiently instead of in an increasingly congested facility.
The Federal Aviation Administration has completed its federal environmental review, and now the Port is leading the state environmental review process with a public comment period. Now is the time when input matters. Community members, elected officials and stakeholders can engage, ask questions, and help shape these decisions about how we want to guarantee that our region’s economy and quality of life can continue to improve into the future.
We urge our colleagues in local government and the members of our communities to participate in that process. Attend public meetings. Submit comments. Ask tough questions. But also recognize that infrastructure investment is necessary for regional prosperity. To do that, the Port needs our support to plan ahead.
The public comment period for the proposed expansion is open until July 21. Learn more here: st.news/sea
