First Portion of Renovated Subway System Open at Sea-Tac

Satellite Transit System project under budget, about two years ahead of schedule

(Seattle) -- Passengers headed to the North Satellite at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport now have a new set of wheels to ride. After 30 years of excellent service, subway cars in the north loop of the airport subway system have been retired, and replaced with brand new state-of-the-art vehicles. The North Satellite serves United, United Express, Horizon Air, Air Canada, and Sky West airlines.

The subway system itself has been renovated to include new track and a much improved control system. Major renovations to the train stations were needed, because the system will be operated using three cars instead of two. The walls of the subway tunnel have been reinforced for seismic safety.

"This portion of the subway system renovation is under budget and ahead of schedule," said Patricia Davis, president of the Port of Seattle Commission. "The new system will be more efficient, less expensive, easier to maintain, and more reliable."

Port of Seattle CEO Mic R. Dinsmore explained that the project was accomplished under budget and ahead of schedule because construction staff and airport operations coordinators worked in tandem to maximize construction time during periods when passenger loads were lightest.

"The trade off was largely between savings in cost and time versus inconveniencing current passengers," said Airport Deputy Director Mark Reis. "These two groups worked together to find ways to get the work done quickly without causing passengers to miss flights."

Construction staff also found ways to do the project work in a different order, which saved additional time and reduced passenger inconvenience. The overall result is that the subway renovation project is expected to finish between 21 and 29 months ahead of schedule.

Remaining work includes renovation of the loop to the airport's South Satellite, and a shuttle leg that operates between the two loops.

"We will use the lessons learned on the north loop project to get the same efficiencies on the south loop and the shuttle leg," said David Soike, director of the airport's Capital Improvement Program. "There are more potential savings down the road.

Formally titled the Satellite Transit System, Sea-Tac's subway system was the oldest of its kind before the renovation. It had become old enough that spare parts could no longer be purchased and Port mechanics had to make their own spare parts to keep the cars running.

The new subway cars were purchased from Bombardier (bomb-BAR-dee-ay) Transportation, a unit of Bombardier Inc. and sister operating unit to Bombardier Aerospace. Horizon Airlines recently purchased Bombardier aircraft to serve many routes out of Sea-Tac.

"It's fascinating that Bombardier airplanes are landing at Sea-Tac and taxiing at ground level, with Bombardier subway cars just a few feet below them," said Reis. "Bombardier is an experienced transportation provider, and we look forward to having them in our airport."

The cost of the entire STS renovation was projected at $161 million when the project was launched in 2001. Project planners currently forecast the project to finish more than $3 million under budget. The project is part of an overall $2.6 billion capital improvement program at the airport that will include a new central terminal, the complete rebuilding of the airport's oldest concourse and a third parallel runway.