Planning for LRT and APM Connections at Sea-Tac International Airport

Final planning is currently underway for the development of the north end of the Seattle-Tacoma Internationa] Airport. The initial impetus for moving the airport expansion planning process forward was the initiative that is underway to connect the first phase of the regional light rail system to the airport. A major focus of the planning process is to plan a connection that would best serve the existing and future airport facilities and minimize the impacts to the existing airport operations and infrastructure. The airport expansion planning includes programming and siting for new airport facilities including; 1) a terminal, 2) an intermodal center, 3) a consolidated rental car facility, 4) development of new access roadways, 5) an on-airport Automated People Mover (APM) to connect the existing and planned facilities, and 6) the on-airport portion of the alignment and station location for the regional light rail system (LRT). This paper provides a discussion of the issues encountered by the Port of Seattle and its consultants while working with local, regional, federal agencies, and the airlines in planning the expansion of the terminal facilities. The discussion includes the initial difficulties in attempting to integrate the regional rail into the existing terminal and the opportunities found in connecting the regional rail into the planned expansion of the terminal complex. The planning process used by Sea-Tac planners is highlighted as an example of how early cooperation and collaboration between agencies and airlines can build consensus and support for the plan.