In July 1996, the Puget Sound Regional Council adopted Resolution A-96-02, amending the region's Metropolitan Transportation Plan to include plans for a third runway at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, paired with additional noise reduction measures. The decision followed years of study, including an Expert Panel finding that neither demand management strategies nor high-speed rail could eliminate the need for expanded capacity. Final approval of the runway remained contingent on environmental review by the Port of Seattle, Federal Aviation Administration permitting, and completion of required noise mitigation steps.Open full document
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Resolution A-96-02 amends the 1995 Metropolitan Transportation Plan to include plans for a third runway at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport with additional noise reduction measures. The Puget Sound Regional Council determined this was a reasonable and necessary decision after considering capacity needs, environmental impacts, feasibility of a supplemental airport, and the conclusions of the Expert Arbitration Panel on Demand/System Management and Noise. The amendment also updates the Regional Transportation Plan and 1988 Interim Regional Airport System Plan.