TagPSRC(155)

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.

The Puget Sound Regional Council held a General Assembly Meeting on July 11, 1996, at the Seattle Center Flag Pavilion to consider a key policy action: an amendment to the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) that would include plans for Sea-Tac Airport expansion along with additional noise reduction measures. The meeting included a public comment period from 2:00–3:30 p.m., allowing community members up to three minutes each to speak, followed by assembly deliberations and a vote on the proposed amendment. This document reflects a formal regional planning effort to balance airport growth with mitigation of noise impacts on surrounding communities.

The Puget Sound Regional Council held an Executive Board meeting on June 27, 1996, at the Seattle Center Flag Pavilion, featuring a public hearing and board deliberations on regional transportation matters. A key item on the agenda was a recommendation to the General Assembly on amending the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) to incorporate plans for Sea-Tac Airport expansion accompanied by additional noise reduction measures. The meeting also addressed transportation plan certifications, transit authority system plan consistency, and routine amendments to regional transportation improvement programs.

This 1996 Puget Sound Regional Council document summarizes the multi-year planning process behind the decision to add a third runway at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. It traces efforts dating back to the 1988 Regional Airport System Plan through environmental reviews, expert panel evaluations, and feasibility studies, concluding that no viable alternative sites or demand-management strategies could eliminate the need for the new runway. The approval was conditioned on additional noise reduction measures to address impacts on surrounding communities.

The Puget Sound Regional Council held an Executive Board Workshop on May 30, 1996, at the Bellevue Conference Center to discuss and respond to Expert Panel recommendations on noise reduction measures. The day-long session included board dialogue aimed at directing staff to prepare a Draft Metropolitan Transportation Plan Amendment—including a refined list of noise reduction measures—for public review before a June 27, 1996 vote. The workshop was part of an ongoing regional planning process addressing transportation-related noise impacts in the greater Seattle–Puget Sound area.

The Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) held an Executive Board Meeting on April 25, 1996, at the Olympic Room, Seattle Center, beginning at 9:00 A.M. A key agenda item was a communications packet regarding an Expert Arbitration Panel's decision on airport noise and demand/system management issues, with follow-up action on noise also listed under New Business. The meeting covered additional regional transportation matters, including certification of local comprehensive plan transportation elements and amendments to the 1996–98 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).