The findings of an independent review panel convened by the Port of Seattle Commission have approved $968 million intended to be spent on a new International Arrivals Facility at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac).
The facility is slated to publicly open in August 2020, following systems and user testing. The construction portion of the bill will take on $773 million in cost — higher budget estimates than originally hoped for, but not unexpected, according to the panel, due to a “supercharged” local construction market and the inherent complexity of the program. The port will turn to a mix of airport-generated revenues, passenger facility charges, and revenue bonds to fund the facility project.
“The external panel findings provide certainty and predictability, as well as project management recommendations that will improve cost containment for IAF and other projects,” Commissioner Peter Steinbrueck said. “With a fixed cost, a fixed scope and a fixed schedule we are eager to deliver these much-needed projects.”
A previous issue with the project had been estimated program costs that increased significantly between December 2015 and April 2018, which led to the creation of the independent review. It consisted of four panelists analyzing all aspects of the estimates provided by Port and contractor staff.
“The Port took the time to examine the project management practices, schedule, and cost for greater transparency and stewardship of the final product,” panel leader John Okamoto said. “We find that while the program cost is reasonable given the final design and current construction climate and the schedule achievable, both the Port and contractor need to hit every mark to complete this complex program within the cost and schedule they have agreed to.”
In the end, the airport seems to be able to accommodate a new facility dedicated to international travel and the improvement of arrivals efficiency. Sea-Tac hopes to achieve this without actually adding any new gates, instead creating a 450,000 square foot grand hall for baggage claim and customs processing, an aerial walkway connecting passengers to that grand hall, and a new corridor connecting international arrivals on Concourse A. Expansion of power, fiber optics and baggage services will also be included in the expansion.