Press release:

The Port of Seattle is alerting area residents to a scheduled temporary center runway closure for pavement work this summer at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

During the closure, airport neighbors may notice changes in runway use as the two outside runways will be used more frequently. All air traffic will be directed to Sea-Tac’s two other open runways during the project.

The construction work, scheduled for July 8-August 2, will extend the life of the runway.

The runway closure will not affect airline flight schedules or passengers. Construction work will occur primarily during daytime hours. The timing takes advantage of dry, sunny weather — ideal construction conditions — to reduce the total time of the closure.

 


July 8 – August 2 Closure Details
Runway 16C-34C will be closed for less than a month to replace deteriorating concrete surface panels. This work will allow the continued safe operation of the runway until full reconstruction slated for 2016. Approximately 10 panels will be replaced, representing less than one percent of the approximately 4,000 concrete panels that comprise the center runway. In 2012, 19 panels were replaced and in 2010, 144 panels were replaced.

More Runway Project Details
Runway 16C/34C was originally constructed in 1969, with a 20-year design life. The Port began a Runway Improvement Program in 1994 to rehabilitate and extend the useful life of the runway.

Approximately 670 concrete panels have been replaced since the beginning of the program. The cost of this year’s work, part of a larger $5 million airfield pavement project, is anticipated to be under $200,000.