Template revised January 10, 2019.
COMMISSION
AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Item No.
8b
ACTION ITEM
Date of Meeting
August 13, 2019
DATE: August 5, 2019
TO: Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director
FROM: Jeffrey Brown, Director, Aviation Facility and Capital Program
Daniel Zenk, Interim Director, Airport Operations
Wayne Grotheer, Director, Aviation Project Management Group
SUBJECT: Remote Aircraft Deicing (CIP #C801035)
Amount of this request:
$2,850,000
Total estimated project cost:
$24,300,000
ACTION REQUESTED
Request Commission authorization for the Executive Director to design and prepare
construction bid documents for the Remote Aircraft Deicing project at the Seattle-Tacoma
International Airport in an amount not to exceed $2,850,000 of a total estimated project cost of
$24,300,000.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This project will mitigate some of the delays caused by on-gate deicing, by constructing the
infrastructure to provide two off-gate deicing positions on Taxiway A.
Over the past few years, the airport has experienced rapid growth in both passenger and
aircraft operations. The increased aircraft operations has created an aircraft gate deficiency and
resulted in significant departure delays when aircraft on-gate deicing occurs. The on-gate
deicing also requires arriving aircraft to hold for gates on the airfield, further congesting the
movement area and exacerbating delays. Based on input from the Federal Aviation
Administration Air Traffic Control Tower, aircraft departures during deicing operations could
increase significantly with the addition of the proposed off-gate deicing positions that will be
constructed on Taxiway A.
The Remote Aircraft Deicing CIP #C801035 is not included in the 2019-2023 capital budget and
plan of finance. A budget was transferred from the Aeronautical Reserve CIP (C800753)
resulting in no net change in the total Aviation capital budget.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. _8b__ Page 2 of 6
Meeting Date: August 13, 2019
Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.
JUSTIFICATION
Based on the Bureau of Transportation Statistics data, Alaska Airlines had 296 hours and Delta
Airlines had 392 hours of weather delay during the 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 winter seasons.
The significant delays and inconvenience to the traveling public have caused negative traveling
experiences. This project will mitigate some of the delays and support the strategy of the Port’s
Century Agenda objective to “Advance this region as a leading tourism destination and business
gateway” by meeting the region’s air transportation needs at the airport for the next 25 years.
The construction of the two off-gate deicing positions will result in less aircraft holding for a
gate on the airfield, or congesting the movement area, which will increase passenger level of
service, reduce the long-term operating cost of the airlines, and support the long-term strategy
of the Port’s Century Agenda objective to “Be the greenest, and most energy efficient port in
North America” by reducing air pollutants and carbon emissions. In addition, less overall deicing
fluid use is anticipated due to the higher efficiency of deicing on Taxiway A, supporting the King
County Waste Water Permit agenda of reducing industrial waste water.
Due to the rapid growth of aircraft operations, locations in the non-movement area that could
accommodate off-gate deicing are increasing being utilized for other purposes such as
hardstand operations, Remain-over-night (RON) parking of passenger aircraft, and cargo
operations. The rapid growth of hardstand operations and competing uses has effectively
eliminated the availability of these hardstands in the non-movement area for deicing
operations.
Projects included in the Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) Near-Term Projects (NTP) and
currently in environmental review would resolve the existing deicing deficiency by adding
additional gates and new multi-use hardstand positions in the non-movement area for off-gate
deicing. If these projects received required approvals through the environmental review
process, they will take several years to implement and interim solutions are needed now to
alleviate the growing delays experienced during deicing operations. As part of SAMP, Taxiways
A and B may be relocated to meet the 500-foot separation criteria from the runway. Should this
portion of SAMP NTP be implemented, it would shorten the off-gate deicing project service life
to approximately six to ten years from construction completion.
Diversity in Contracting
Project staff is working with the Diversity in Contracting Department in outreach to woman and
minority business enterprises (WMBE) of this opportunity, and the establishment of the WMBE
aspirational goal for this construction project.
DETAILS
During the 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 deicing season, two narrow body deicing positions were
tested in the movement area at the north end of Taxiway A. The test helped mitigate some of
the delays caused by the on-gate deicing without incident. With the addition of the two off-gate
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. _8b__ Page 3 of 6
Meeting Date: August 13, 2019
Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.
deicing positions provided by this project, an Operational Safety Assessment was conducted
with the FAA, Airlines, and Airport Operations in July 2019 to identify hazards and document
mitigations to ensure safe airfield operations.
This project will be constructed in 2020 between late summer and end of November to avoid
the peak travel months and minimize operational impacts. A cross-over taxiway located north
of Taxiway G will be constructed between Taxiways A and B to alleviate queueing back-ups
during deicing operations. New asphalt pads for deicing equipment will be constructed along
Taxiway A.
Phased closures of sections of Taxiway A and Taxiway B will be needed for construction with
the probable closure of Runway 16L/34R when operationally required for airfield traffic
optimization. Construction phasing plan will be developed to minimize the impacts from
construction to airfield operations. A Construction Safety Risk Management Panel will be
conducted during project design with Airlines, FAA, and Airport Operations to ensure safe and
efficient airfield operations during construction.
A project labor agreement was evaluated in collaboration with Port of Seattle Labor Relations
and will be used based on the location and complexity of this project and the importance of
labor continuity and stability to minimize the operational impacts during construction.
Scope of Work
The main scope items are listed as follows:
(1) The construction of a cross-over taxiway to alleviate queueing back-ups during deicing
operations on the taxiways
(2) Partial reconstruction of portions of Taxiway A and Taxiway B pavement and lighting
infrastructure
(3) The construction of asphalt pads along Taxiway A for Deicing Equipment
(4) Industrial Waste and Storm Drainage System Improvements
Schedule
Activity
Commission Design Authorization
Design start
Commission Construction Authorization
Construction start
In-use date
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. _8b__ Page 4 of 6
Meeting Date: August 13, 2019
Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.
Cost Breakdown
This Request
Total Project
Design
$3,200,000
Construction
21,100,000
Total
$24,300,000
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED
Alternative 1 – The Port would not construct any additional off-gate deicing positions on
Taxiway A.
Cost Implications: $0
Pros:
(1) No additional cost in 2019 or 2020.
(2) No additional operational impact or closure of Taxiway A, B, or Runway 16L/34R for
construction.
Cons:
(1) Continued significant delays and associated airline costs caused by on-gate deicing.
(2) More aircraft holding for gates and congesting the movement areas.
(3) Negative traveling experiences due to the significant delays and inconvenience to the
traveling public.
(4) Delay impacts to other airports and airlines around the nation and world.
This is not the recommended alternative.
Alternative 2 – Provide infrastructure to accommodate off-gate deicing positions on Taxiway A.
Cost Implications: $24,300,000
Pros:
(1) Mitigate some of the delays caused by on-gate deicing.
(2) Increase aircraft departures.
(3) Less overall glycol uses due to the higher efficiency of deicing on Taxiway A.
(4) Reduce the long-term operating cost and support environmentally sustainable
development by reducing aircraft-related carbon emissions and noise.
Cons:
(1) Operational impacts during construction.
(2) Additional project costs in 2019 and 2020.
This is the recommended alternative.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. _8b__ Page 5 of 6
Meeting Date: August 13, 2019
Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Cost Estimate/Authorization Summary
Capital
Expense
Total
COST ESTIMATE
Original estimate
$24,300,000
$0
$24,300,000
Current change
0
0
0
Revised estimate
24,300,000
0
24,300,000
AUTHORIZATION
Previous authorizations
295,000
0
295,000
Current request for authorization
2,850,000
0
2,850,000
Total authorizations, including this request
3,145,000
0
3,145,000
Remaining amount to be authorized
$21,155,000
$0
$21,155,000
Annual Budget Status and Source of Funds
The Remote Aircraft Deicing CIP #C801035 is not included in the 2019-2023 capital budget and
plan of finance. A budget was transferred from the Aeronautical Reserve CIP (C800753)
resulting in no net change in the total Aviation capital budget. Given that the life of the asset
would be six to ten years, the planned funding source will be 2020 revenue bonds with a short
amortization to more closely match the life of the asset (ten years). The project was presented
to the Airline Airport Affairs Committee (AAAC) on June 27, 2019. The majority-in-interest ballot
will be submitted to AAAC in August.
Financial Analysis and Summary
Project cost for analysis
$24,300,000
Business Unit (BU)
Airfield Movement Area
Effect on business performance (NOI after
depreciation)
NOI will increase after depreciation
IRR/NPV (if relevant)
N/A
CPE Impact
$0.22 for 6-year life or $0.15 for 10-year life
Future Revenues and Expenses (Total cost of ownership)
The design life for the various pavements will need to meet the minimum FAA design criteria,
likely 20 years. Those assets that are likely to remain in service beyond possible SAMP
implementation would be designed for 40 years or longer.
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST
(1) Presentation slides
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. _8b__ Page 6 of 6
Meeting Date: August 13, 2019
Template revised September 22, 2016; format updates October 19, 2016.
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS
None.