The Port of Seattle is set to begin reconstruction of the center runway (designated as 16C/34C) at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The runway, which was originally built in 1969, is scheduled to be closed between May 4 and October 30, 2015. Reconstruction is not expected to impact flight schedules, passenger traffic, or any other airport operations.
The project will also include installation of a new LED runway lighting system and an automated electronic Foreign Object Debris (FOD) detection system to provide additional safety on the runway. Portions of connecting taxiways will also be replaced and/or repaired, along with associated electrical, water, and aging storm water infrastructure.
Photo caption: 16L/34R construction in 2009
During the reconstruction all air operations (takeoffs and landings) will be directed to the airport’s two other runways. Nearly 1,000 daily operations occur on the airfield and detailed plans have been developed to minimize conflicts between construction activities and aircraft operations.
Upon completion of the project, all three of Sea-Tac’s runways will have been constructed or rebuilt within the last seven years. Sea-Tac’s third runway (designated as 16R/34L) was built in 2008, while the longest runway (16L/34R) was reconstructed in 2009. The lifespan of the reconstructed center runway is estimated to be 40 years.
The project will cost approximately $95 million. The port has received $15 million in FAA grants and anticipates another $10 million in future FAA grants. The remaining funding was allocated from Airport Development Funds, Airport Improvement Project Grants, and future revenue bonds.
Additional Project Facts:
- The center runway, 16C/34C, is the oldest runway at Sea-Tac having been built in 1969.
- 16C/34C is 9,426’ in length. (Runway 16L/34R is 11,901’ and runway 16R/34L is 8,500’).
- The runway surface is made up of 4,000+ concrete panels, each measuring 20’ X 18.75‘. Over the course of the last 20 years, 600+ panels have been replaced to keep the runway operational.
- The concrete from the runway will be recycled and crushed on site into gravel that will be used as the sub-base for the new runway, resulting in over 300,000 Square Yards (SY) of recycled concrete being used for this project.
- Over 200,000 SY of new concrete will be poured for the new runway.
- The new runway will consist of eight inches of crushed rock sub-base, four inches of asphalt, and 18 inches of Portland cement concrete.
- Over 16,000 linear feet of new storm drain pipe will be installed.
