KCIA Wants New Tower, Runway
- Steve Lannen
- May 6
- 2 min read
Updated: May 10
Residents could hear more jet noise on takeoffs, see more light from taller control tower
UPDATED: Comments deadline extended to May 29
Proposed construction at King County International Airport-Boeing Field could mean more noise and light pollution for nearby Georgetown residents.
Airport plans call for repairing an aging runway and shifting it and its surrounding safety zone 75 feet closer to the west to meet current FAA standards. If approved as is, the construction on Taxiway B relocation could begin in 2028. Estimated costs for the project and related development could be more than $500 million.
Critically, at the end of this potential new runway configuration, there would be a turnaround for the planes as they position themselves for acceleration and speeding down the runway for takeoff. This area where the engines will fire, and the related noise, will be 75 feet closer to residents on Ellis Avenue S and nearby streets. It may not mean a significant difference from now when small-engine aircraft take off, but there is no way residents will not hear more engine noise when the larger craft, such as the UPS planes, take off.
The same proposal also calls for demolishing the air traffic control tower along East Marginal Way S. It would be replaced with a new, taller tower that would be 1.5 times larger. The new tower would either be built 1,600 feet to the south of the current location or 750 feet to the north.
A detailed KCIA report published in September discusses options and scenarios but does not indicate how the lights from a new, taller tower might affect nearby residents. Other parts of the project could include:
Relocating part of the perimeter fence.
Land acquisition
Relocating an aircraft rescue and firefighting building.
Constructing stormwater facilities
Tenant and landslide mitigation
An open house was held in April to reveal plans and begin the process of collecting input from the community and other interested groups.
The airport is accepting feedback and comments from the community as part of a required impact study and environmental assessment. The deadline is 5 p.m. May 29. To comment email KCIACommunityOutreach@kingcounty.gov or send mail to:
King County International Airport–Boeing Field
ATTN: Eric Miller, Capital Project Manager
7277 Perimeter Rd. S., Suite 200
Seattle, WA 98108
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