Third runway opening Thursday at Sea-Tac

Third runway opening Thursday at Sea-Tac

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Story Published: Nov 19, 2008 at 8:10 AM PST

Story Updated: Nov 21, 2008 at 4:58 AM PST

By Associated Press

SEATAC, Wash. (AP) - More planes will be able to use Sea-Tac Airport, especially landing in cloudy weather, with the opening of its new third runway.

After 16 years of development that saw costs climb to more than $1 billion, the runway opens Thursday for airline use.

The runway is 8,500 feet long, 150 feet wide and 17 inches thick. To build it, the Port of Seattle had to overcome opposition from airport neighbors, fill in a large area and create wetlands near Auburn as environmental compensation.

Last year, more than 347,000 planes took off and landed at Sea-Tac. The three runways will be able to handle about 550,000 a year.

Passengers will pay off bond debt for the third runway with a $4.50 fee on each ticket.

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