Murray Announces $19 Million to Ensure Flight Safety at Sea-Tac’s Third Runway

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash) announced that the federal government will provide Seattle-Tacoma International Airport with $19 million to support safety components for the third runway.

Murray helped secure the funding as Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing & Urban Development and Related Agencies. Specifically, the U.S. Department of Transportation will provide $14 million in grants for a Runway Safety Area and $5 million for navigation aids. The funding is being released today.

“The third runway will help reduce delays at SeaTac, and this funding will ensure we have the equipment and resources to do it safely,” Murray said. “SeaTac is a critical regional and international gateway for our economy, and I’ll continue to work for the safety and efficiency that passengers deserve.”

A runway safety area (RSA) is a defined surface surrounding the runway that can reduce the risk of damage to aircraft in case a plane undershoots or overshoots the runway. The safety area also ensures access for fire fighting and rescue equipment during such incidents.

The $5 million for navigation aids will provide funding for state of the art visual and electronic navigational aids on the third runway.