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Summary of the Regional Council’s Decision Process Relating to Amending the Metropolitan Transportation Plan to Include a Third Runway at Sea-Tac International Airport with Additional Noise Reduction Measures

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Puget Sound Regional Council
PRR-2026-07-30
07-Executive Board-General Assembly-Amendment MTP

This 1996 Puget Sound Regional Council document summarizes the decision-making process behind adding a third runway at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, tracing planning efforts from the late 1980s through 1996. It outlines how regional studies, including the Flight Plan Project and an Expert Panel evaluation, concluded that no feasible alternative airport sites existed and that options like high-speed rail or congestion pricing could not replace the need for the new runway. The amendment to the Metropolitan Transportation Plan was approved subject to conditions requiring noise reduction measures and demand management actions.

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Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) summary document dated June 20, 1996, outlining the decision process for amending the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) to include a third runway at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) with additional noise reduction measures. Covers the 1988 Regional Airport System Plan (RASP), the Flight Plan Project (1989-92), the Sea-Tac Airport Master Plan Update, Resolution A-93-03, Resolution EB-94-01, and the Expert Arbitration Panel appointed by WSDOT to evaluate Demand/System Management and Noise conditions. Documents findings that no feasible major supplemental airport sites existed in the four-county region, and that congestion pricing, gate controls, high-speed rail, and rail improvements could not justify deferring third runway construction. References Port of Seattle Commission Resolution No. 3125, PSCOG Resolution A-90-01, and the FAA/Port of Seattle co-lead environmental impact statement published February 1996.

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