en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Port of Seattle Commission approved $1.1 billion in initial funding on August 11 for the S Concourse Evolution (SCE) project. The total cost of the renovation of the S Concourse at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is $2.5 billion, with major construction scheduled to begin in 2027, and the project is included in the airport's $5.5 billion "Upgrade SEA" capital improvement program.
The S Concourse, originally built in 1973, primarily serves international passengers. This renovation will upgrade its structural, seismic, and building systems, while adding passenger amenities and improving aircraft operations. The project will add approximately 150,000 square feet of space, including a new upper-level concourse floor; some gates will be equipped with improved dual-level boarding facilities, and dining, retail, lounge, and other passenger service amenities will also be expanded.
The project will not increase the number of gates at the concourse due to insufficient space between the main terminal and the airfield. Instead, portions of the customs area vacated by the International Arrivals Facility, which opened in 2022, will be repurposed. Construction is expected to take approximately eight years and will be carried out in multiple phases, allowing flight operations to continue throughout. A temporary S Annex will be built on the east side of the existing concourse to accommodate ground-loading operations at affected gates. At any given time during construction, a maximum of 3 of the concourse's 12 gates will be affected, and as each phase is completed, the relevant areas will be reopened to passengers. The entire project is currently expected to be completed in 2034.
Port of Seattle Commission President Ryan Calkins stated that today's authorization marks progress on the S Concourse Evolution project, building on the generational investments being made at SEA to improve the passenger experience. The project will add critical seismic, structural, and building system upgrades to improve long-term passenger flow and operational efficiency.
AECOM is providing design services for the project, with the design incorporating local and Indigenous cultural elements while upgrading existing structures and building systems.
The project targets LEED Silver certification and is expected to reduce annual operational greenhouse gas emissions by 58% compared to Port of Seattle standards, with annual energy use expected to decrease by 16%. Planned measures include higher-performance building envelopes and glazing, upgraded lighting and building management systems, and electrical equipment designed to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The project will also feature low-flow plumbing fixtures, electric vehicle charging for aircraft service equipment, and reuse of building materials.
The S Concourse renovation is the next project following several completed under the "Upgrade SEA" program, including the N Concourse Modernization in 2021, the International Arrivals Facility in 2022, restroom renovations in 2025, and the SEA Gateway and C Concourse Expansion in 2026. Road improvement work is nearing completion, while baggage optimization and SEA Underground Controls replacement remain under construction.
