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Taxiway B Safety Improvements
King County International Airport-Boeing Field (KCIA) is working with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to address a long-standing safety issue that will improve the runway-to-taxiway separation between Runway 14R/32L and Taxiway B.
As it stands today, the centerline of Taxiway B (also called Taxiway Bravo or just Bravo) is located approximately 325 feet from the centerline of the main runway, Runway 14R/32L. To meet current FAA standards, they should be separated by 400 feet. KCIA currently operates under a waiver from the FAA due to this non-standard condition.
Map showing the proposed project area along Taxiway B, with the Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) and Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) Station highlighted. Click to enlarge.
To eliminate this safety issue, KCIA will undertake a capital improvement project to:
- Relocate the taxiway approximately 50 to 75 feet to the west, away from Runway 14R/32L
- Relocate and replace the obsolete Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT)
- Relocate and replace the current Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) Station
- Assist airport tenants who may lose operational capacity on their leasehold due to this project through multiple means, including land acquisition.
The project is eligible for FAA funding up to 90% of the total. The remainder will be covered by airport revenues. As KCIA is self-sustaining through land rents and user fees, local tax dollars will not be utilized for the project. A formal cost estimate is still being developed, however initial estimates project a total cost of $500,000,000. It's expected that this project will take care of 70% of the airport's anticipated capital construction needs over the next 20 years.
Construction will begin no earlier than 2026, and only after a comprehensive engagement and outreach plan to guide the process and gather feedback from the community and stakeholders. Due to the federal funding mechanism, construction must be underway no later than the end of 2029. A more detailed project timeline is under development, and will be shared later this year.
KCIA will remain operational throughout the Taxiway B project, though there will be intermittent closures to accommodate work. It is important to note that this is a safety improvement project only. It will not increase airport operational capacity, nor change the length of Runway 14R/32L.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
KCIA is committed to ensuring safety and compliance with FAA regulations for all airport operations.
The existing runway-to-taxiway separation between Runway 14R/32L (the main runway) and Taxiway B is currently 325 feet, but should be 400 feet to meet minimum FAA standards. As a result, Taxiway B is in a non-standard condition that does not meet current operations and safety design standards.
As part of the planned reconstruction of the main runway, the FAA reminded KCIA of its obligation to correct non-standard conditions. The agency is providing support for this project.
This project includes:
- Relocating Taxiway B approximately 75 feet westward to meet standards for the runway-to-taxiway separation
- Relocating and replacing the aging Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) with a new, modern, disaster-resilient, and sustainable building
- Relocating and replacing the Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) Station to meet the current ARFF Index, providing additional fire, life, and safety responses for airport emergencies
- Mitigation projects as needed to support airport tenants who may lose operational capacity on their leasehold
When completed, this project will enable KCIA to correct a longstanding non-standard condition, meet federal airport design standards, and ensure high safety standards for tenants, plane operators, visitors, and the public.
The FAA regulates civil aviation in the United States, which includes developing airport design standards to ensure the safety and efficiency of airport operations. These standards are based on research, data, and lessons learned from prior events.
A non-standard condition at an airport arises when something doesn’t fully meet the FAA’s design standards, specifically those outlined in FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 150/5300-13B, Airport Design - Change 1. The FAA regularly reviews these non-standard conditions to determine if they can continue to operate safely. If a correction is necessary, an airport is expected to prioritize opportunities to correct or improve the non-standard conditions in its capital improvement program.
This project will be funded through the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program and KCIA’s airport revenue, ensuring no local tax funds will be used. A formal cost estimate is being developed and is expected to be ready by early 2025.
In August 2024, the FAA directed KCIA to begin planning the Taxiway B relocation project. KCIA recently started planning and will begin an environmental review in late 2024 or early 2025. Design activities are scheduled for 2025 and 2026, and construction will begin no later than the end of 2029.
We are developing a more detailed project timeline to share with the public later by the end of 2024. Please note the project schedule may change over time.
Once completed, this safety improvement project will provide several benefits. These include:
- Reducing the risk of air or runway collision for aircraft taking off and landing by eliminating a known safety issue
- Improving the taxiway surface to ensure continued and long-term safe use
- Improving the ability to respond to emergencies by building an updated Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) Station that complies with new safety regulations
- A new, modern, disaster-resilient, and sustainable Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT)
- Creating more efficient operations that will lead to reduced emissions
- Contributing hundreds of millions of dollars to the local economy, creating and supporting hundreds of family-wage jobs
- As a federally funded King County project, this project will provide meaningful work opportunities for local, small, veteran, women, minority, and other disadvantaged businesses.
This project will also have some impacts the KCIA team is working to mitigate. These impacts include:
- Construction activities (noise, increased truck activity, etc.) that have some short-term, temporary impacts on tenants, operators, visitors, and the public
- Reconfiguration and potential relocation (temporary or permanent) of tenants currently situated in or adjacent to the area designated for the new taxiway location
Construction is expected to begin no earlier than 2026. The airport will remain operational throughout the project with intermittent closures of various airport facilities. Since the work will occur within the airport premises, we expect minimal construction disturbances for the surrounding communities. Detailed information regarding the construction schedule, sequence, methodology, anticipated impacts, and more will be shared well before any planned construction.
This project will positively contribute to our local economy. King County’s procurement activities, led by the county’s Business Development and Contract Compliance office, ensure the inclusion of apprenticeships, Priority Hire, and Small Contractor and Supplier (SCS) certification programs. These initiatives promote local employment; support small, women, and minority-owned businesses; and foster fair labor practices. The Federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise and the King County Equity and Social Justice (ESJ) Plan also ensure inclusive economic benefits for all.
No. This is a safety improvement project that corrects a longstanding non-standard condition. It is not a capacity enhancement project. It will not change the length of the runway or expand airport operations.
KCIA is committed to following all local, state, and federal requirements. This project will evaluate and address potential environmental impacts through the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) processes.
The Vision 2045 Airport Plan is a multiyear effort to work with the community to develop a long-range plan to help us become a world-class airport.
This project is separate from Vision 2045 because it involves correcting a long-standing non-standard safety issue that the FAA has required KCIA to prioritize and take action to address in the near term.
To learn more and be a part of the Vision 2045 process, please visit the plan's website.
KCIA will communicate project updates through email, county social media, airport website updates, Airport Roundtable meetings, and open houses. KCIA is currently meeting with tenants that the relocation of Taxiway B will impact.
A comprehensive project-specific outreach plan will be developed during the early stages of this project.
KCIA is dedicated to being a good neighbor and ensuring transparent communication about this project. We will engage with and continually update the Airport Roundtable throughout the project. Additionally, we will engage with local community groups to present plans and gather feedback as we initiate the planning phase. We intend to engage with the community throughout the project to offer updates on progress and address any questions. We will reach out to community groups early this fall. If your community group or neighborhood organization would like to be included in this process, please contact us at KCIACommunityOutreach@kingcounty.gov. You can also sign up to receive updates on all projects currently underway or planned at KCIA, and sign up to receive our monthly Plane Talk newsletter.