People who park illegally along the roadway leading to Sea-Tac International Airport now receive traffic citations from the Port of Seattle Police.

Port police earlier focused on education instead of enforcement, with officers contacting illegally parked drivers to explain the hazards of parking along a limited-access roadway.

To help alleviate the situation, the Port created a free Cell Phone Waiting Lot, where drivers can wait for arriving passengers to call for pick-up.

"The Cell Phone Lot is safe, free and equally convenient to the airport," said Port of Seattle Police Chief Tim Kimsey.

"There's just no reason for people to risk an accident by parking along the roadway that leads to the airport."

The public education program ended Oct. 31. Officers began issuing citations Nov. 1, according to Kimsey.

The fine for parking along a limited-access roadway is $30.

The airport's Cell Phone Lot is located in front of the Doug Fox Parking Lot on South 170th Street, between the airport expressway and International Boulevard (Highway 99).

Once a driver receives the call to pick up an arriving passenger, it's just a two-minute drive from the lot to the baggage claim curbside.

For more information about the lot, go to www.portseattle.org/seatac/ground/parkingcell.shtml.