King County International Airport–Boeing Field (KCIA) is moving forward with a major safety improvement project in collaboration with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to address long-standing runway separation concerns.
What’s the issue?
Taxiway B is currently about 325 feet from Runway 14R/32L—short of the FAA’s required 400-foot separation. The airport has been operating under a waiver due to this condition.
🛠️ What’s changing?
To improve safety, KCIA plans to:
• Relocate Taxiway B 50–75 feet further from the runway
• Replace the outdated Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT)
• Upgrade the Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) Station
• Support affected tenants through land acquisition and other measures
Project Scope & Funding:
• Covers approximately 423 acres
• Includes 30+ construction and infrastructure components
• Eligible for up to 90% FAA funding
• No local tax dollars will be used
Timeline:
• Construction expected to begin no earlier than 2028
• Must start by the end of 2029
• Airport operations will continue with limited disruptions
Important Note:
This project is strictly for safety improvements. It will NOT increase airport capacity or change runway length.
Community engagement and environmental review processes are underway—stay tuned for updates and opportunities to provide input.