SEATAC, Wash. — Seattle-Tacoma International Airport officials are stepping up efforts to curb drivers illegally parking on the shoulder of airport roadways, a practice airport police say creates a serious safety hazard.
The Port of Seattle and Washington State Department of Transportation have been collaborating on the issue for years. New measures include painted lane lines and installation of orange delineators to deter parking on the shoulder.
“It is a dangerous situation we’ve been working on for years,” said spokesperson Perry Cooper. “The Port paid for painting lines and WSDOT paid for the stanchions or delineators.”
Deputy Chief of Police Sean Gillebo said the shoulder parking problem remains persistent, especially because many drivers are first-time or infrequent visitors to the airport.
“People are traveling at freeway speeds often coming off 518 and going into a blind curve. That makes for a dangerous situation,” Gillebo said, noting past collisions including a rollover.
Enforcement efforts are ongoing, with fines currently set at $50. Gillebo said the department is exploring increasing fines to better discourage shoulder parking.
The Port encourages these pickup areas:
Cellphone waiting lot – A dedicated lot expanded in recent years for waiting drivers.
In addition, SEA is completing a Roadway Improvements project ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The project will add two lanes to improve traffic flow on the airport drives. Temporary lanes are expected to open soon, with a full upgrade planned for spring 2026.
Cooper noted that the airport’s traffic challenges are compounded by the region’s rapid growth. SEA served a record 52 million passengers in June 2024, while its terminal was originally built to handle 30 million. The airport’s compact layout and road design, including blind curves and limited space, make shoulder parking especially dangerous.
“Different options exist for people to pick up travelers safely,” Cooper said. “You can use the airport parking garage, light rail, shuttles, or rideshares. We want people to get their passengers safely and enjoy their day.”
Officials hope that continued signage, enforcement, and improved traffic infrastructure will reduce dangerous shoulder parking and ensure safer travel for all airport visitors.
트위터 공유: 시애틀 공항 갓길 주차 위험 해결 추진