Additional Security Measures Implemented at Sea-Tac

Traffic to be slowed approaching the ticketing and baggage claim drives

The Port of Seattle has implemented security-related changes at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in the wake of the federal government's declaration of a Heightened (Orange) state of alert.

The most visible of those will be a traffic change to allow police to closely observe all vehicles going to the ticketing or baggage claim drives adjacent to the main terminal. Lane adjustments and a stop sign will be added along the airport expressway just south of 170th Street.

"We will only inspect vehicles for which our officers can articulate a specific suspicion," said Tim Kimsey, Port of Seattle Police Chief. "But we need to have the traffic slowed down so that officers can get a good look as cars go by. If something about the vehicle raises a specific concern, officers will wave that vehicle to the side and contact the driver."

Kimsey says the stop sign will only apply to those lanes of the expressway that lead to the ticketing and baggage claim drives.

"Vehicles headed into the airport garage will not be stopped or slowed," Kimsey added. "Drivers headed to the garage need only stay in the left lane of the expressway to avoid the stop sign."

As part of this process, there will be no access to the ticketing or baggage claim drives from the airport's south entrance at 182nd and International Boulevard. Drivers entering at the south entrance will still be able to access the airport garage and the northbound airport expressway.

Additionally, recirculation ramps for the ticketing and baggage claim drives will be closed. Vehicles that leave the drives and need to loop back around will have to go north to 170th Street and go through the inspection station again. Recirculation is normally only necessary for drivers trying to pick up passengers at curbside. Because no parking or waiting is allowed at curbside, drivers must circle. With the recirculation ramps closed, circling will mean making the full loop to 170th. That may make the garage an attractive option.

In the wake of the heightened state of alert, the Port has implemented other security measures, such as an increased police presence in public areas and increased use of canine teams.

The vehicle height restriction in the garage remains at six feet six inches, where it has been since the last time a Heightened alert was in effect.

The Port of Seattle is strongly committed to letting travelers know about security changes that might affect how they use the airport. Security changes that are invisible to the public will not be discussed.