'For context, SEA was built for 30 million passengers,' Cho said. 'Last year, we did 53.4 [million]. So at a certain point, SEA will break.'
The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is debuting its roughly $399 million expansion project on Concourse C Wednesday, just in time for an influx of travelers from around the world who want to experience the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Seattle.
Concourse C essentially tripled in size, increasing from the previously existing 81,000-square-foot building to a 226,530-square-foot facility that includes a “wish list of amenities. ” “From a security standpoint, the Port of Seattle Police Department set up a unified command with all the surrounding police departments,” Cho said.
“We’re going to be checking in every morning to make sure that not only the airport, but the region is safe for everybody during the World Cup. Two years of preparation for about a month of activity. We’re ready, man.
”But amidst all the festivities at SEA Airport, there has been very little momentum from a workgroup tasked with finding a solution for Washington’s future aviation needs after it replaced the — the state-created group initially charged with researching and recommending a location for a new municipal airport. SEA Airport is predicted to reach capacity in 2032.
According to the now-defunct commission’s Chair, Warren Hendrickson, that could lead to flight restrictions, higher airfare costs, and more limited package shipping capabilities, among other concerns.
“Do you ever foresee us getting a new airport, or are we going to just be stuck at SEA forever? ” KIRO host Gee Scott asked.
“I’ll tell you what. For context, SEA was built for 30 million passengers,” Cho said.
“Last year, we did 53.4 . So at a certain point, SEA will break because we will not be able to come to everyone now. The problem with what the state was trying to do is that they were looking for a greenfield site; they were trying to build an airport from the ground up.
What they hopefully are going to do now is look for an existing airport that they can build up, which may make it easier, and you might have a little less resistance from surrounding neighborhoods.
“What’s for sure is you and I will be long retired before we see a second regional airport,” Cho added. “That’s a fact. ” The furthest CACC got in finding a new airport location was narrowing options down to three in 2022: Pierce County Central, Pierce County East, and Thurston County near Olympia.
But the pushback against a new airport in Pierce County has been consistent among residents, with a group called the Coalition Against Graham and Eatonville-Roy Airports leading a protest of more than 200 residents in 2022 against the construction of a new airport in the county.
'Less officers are leaving, more officers are coming in': SPD on track to reach 1,250 officers by end of 2026 'Not a lot of really small police departments left': Thurston County sheriff warns of budget squeeze on local policing “Sam, tell us right now, you can only pick it by the way, you can’t get out of this game. You can only pick one area for the airport to go to.
Where would the Commissioner of the Port of Seattle place it? ” Gee asked.
“Are you ready for this? I’m a big ideas guy,” Cho said.
“I want to build it in Moses Lake. I know that sounds really far, which it is, but if you go to every major city in the world, whether it’s London, Hong Kong, South Seoul, South Korea, they have their airports an hour or two away, three hours even, from the city center, and they have a high-speed bullet train that goes between the main city center and the airport.
What we need is an airport in the middle of the state, right around Moses Lake, and a high-speed rail that goes from Seattle to Spokane and hits that airport in the middle. ” Cho argued that it would not only help alleviate congestion for travelers, but also enable farmers in Eastern Washington to export their goods to the world in a much more cost-effective and efficient manner than at SEA.
“Let’s build it in Moses Lake,” Cho said. “Let’s build a high-speed rail that goes across the state from Seattle to Spokane, so that we can connect the two sides of the state. ”Seattle’s airport will hit its limit by 2032 — Seattle Port Commissioner shares his bold solution "For context, SEA was built for 30 million passengers," Cho said.
"Last year, we did 53.4 . So at a certain point, SEA will break.
" ‘Less officers are leaving, more officers are coming in’: SPD on track to reach 1,250 officers by end of 2026 As the city prepares itself to host six 2026 FIFA World Cup matches, the SPD is retaining its staff better than it has in years. ‘Not a lot of really small police departments left’: Thurston County sheriff warns of budget squeeze on local policing Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders said when it comes to policing, small police departments will be hit the hardest by the budget shortfall.
Seattle police chief details security plans ahead of FIFA World Cup matches, says city has been preparing ‘for years’ With soccer fans pouring into Seattle for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the city has been preparing, behind the scenes, for years and is ready for both the crowds and potential threats.
‘This state can’t out-earn a spending problem’: Gee reacts to Ferguson’s office warning to brace for ‘most challenging budget’ yet ‘The payoff is going to outmatch the price tag’: Gee says Seattle’s $32M World Cup investment will pay off Seattle's $32 million investment in the World Cup as a host is set to yield significant returns for the city and its economy. June is National Men’s Health Month: Advancing prostate cancer treatment while preserving quality of life One in eight men will hear the words"you have prostate cancer" in their lifetime.
Unfortunately, many men tend to overlook the importance of preventative care. Why 45 is the new 50: The updated playbook for colon cancer screenings Colon cancer is one of the most common and deadliest types of cancer, and routine screenings are the best way to reduce your chances of becoming a statistic.
Redmond HVAC contractor earns triple recognition in 60 days, reflecting a shift in how homeowners vet contractors Three independent organizations that evaluate home service contractors each reached the same conclusion: Home Comfort Alliance is among the most reliable in its market. WSECU Community Champion: Chrystal Ortega’s mission to feed Spokane Chrystal Ortega's tireless dedication recently earned her the WSECU Community Champions Award and a $1,000 grant to further the mission.
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