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Barge in dirt for runway? Idea for filling ravine is built on conveyor, not trucks

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In 1996, Lynnwood engineer Hank Hopkins proposed using barges and an electric conveyor belt system to transport the roughly 14 million cubic yards of fill dirt needed to build a third runway at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, rather than relying on a constant stream of dump trucks. Hopkins argued his patented modular conveyor system would be faster, cheaper, quieter, and less disruptive to surrounding communities than the truck-based approach outlined in the environmental study. The city of Des Moines, which opposed the runway project, was seen as the primary obstacle to approving the conveyor plan, as the system would require city permits that trucking would not.

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Seattle Times article by Stephen Clutter (May 15, 1996) about Hank Hopkins of Lynnwood and his Wescot Co. proposal to barge fill dirt to Des Moines Beach Park and transport it via a 7-foot-wide electric conveyor belt nearly three miles uphill to the Sea-Tac Airport third runway construction site, rather than using dump trucks. The conveyor would carry approximately 14 million cubic yards of fill — roughly eight Kingdomes — needed to fill the ravine west of the second runway, with dirt sourced from an old gravel mine at King County Marine Park on Maury Island. Port of Seattle aviation planning director Michael Feldman called it ‘a creative solution that certainly has merit.’ Des Moines City Manager Bob Olander and activist Al Furney are quoted; the city of Des Moines opposed granting permits. Partners include Vern Scott of Miles Sand & Gravel and Ernie Ferullo of Northwest Construction.

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