Pierce County Leaders Decry Potential New Airport

PIERCE COUNTY, WA — Pierce County is the latest region to push back against plans to build a new airport to serve Western Washington as the state narrows down its list of potential locations to help alleviate the present and future demand at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

The airport welcomes an estimated 50 million passengers every year and is projected to reach capacity soon. A study commissioned by Puget Sound Regional Council expects passenger volumes will double by 2050.

In a joint letter signed this week by the Pierce County Council and Executive Bruce Dammeier, local leaders expressed a “strong objection” to two potential sites on the state’s shortlist, asking the commission in charge of the search to remove them from consideration and arguing both would be unfeasible and cost prohibitive.

“Both greenfield sites are in the rural area, approximately five miles outside Pierce County’s Urban Growth Area, and do not have the infrastructure capable of supporting an airport,” the letter reads in part. “The transportation, sewer, and water infrastructure necessary to support the contemplated airport simply does not exist and there are no plans to provide this infrastructure in the future.”

The Washington State Department of Transportation’s Commercial Aviation Coordinating Commission initially considered 10 undeveloped locations in King, Pierce, Snohomish, Thurston, Lewis and Skagit counties, along with potentially expanding existing airports like Paine field and the Bremerton National Airport.

During a meeting last month, commissioners further narrowed their list to just three “greenfield” options, leaving only Pierce and Thurston counties on the table. The commission also recommended adding capacity to Paine Field and working with other smaller airports interested in developing regional flight service.

The commission is due to present its top two recommendations to state lawmakers this month and make its final recommendation for a new airport by next June.

>> Learn more on WSDOT’s website.