Ted writes:
I’m curious if other Wally residents are feeling the effects of increased air traffic due to the expanded use of the third runway.
Apparently, the third runway is replacing the eastern runway while it is being rebuilt. SeaTac says that the construction should last through September.
They have also said, in the Port website’s FAQ section, that the Port will review (and potentially adjust) flight patterns related to the third runway at the end of the year.
We actually weren’t aware that the Third Runway would direct traffic over Wallingford at all and, given that we get buzzed by dozens of seaplanes coming in to Lake Union every day as is, we haven’t had a chance to notice. Have others?
There’s more information about the Third Runway on the Port of Seattle web site, but we couldn’t find reference to the flight patterns and areas impacted.
I guess that explains the periodic big plan engine sound that I noticed over the weekend. So yes, I noticed it. But I wouldn’t have if my windows & doors weren’t open (At 35th & Wallingford) and I haven’t noticed anything overnight yet.
I have noticed an increase in air traffic. My sister was just noticing that I was mentioning it alot and was wondering why it hadn’t come up in the past 3 years I’ve lived here. I’ve been trying to figure out why I’ve been noticing it more. Three days ago I woke up in the middle of the night from a loud plane and that’s never happened. I wonder if it is the third runway and/or perhaps a more consistent south wind than we usually have?
I’ve noticed it more (at 4th and 43rd), but did not know why. We hear sea planes on a regular basis, but the larger planes were beginning to worry me. Thank you for the information!
Is it really that bad? This seems to reek of Northwestern NIMBY-ism. Planes flying overhead is the sad cost of living in a city.
Blaming this on the Third Runway seems a little suspicious. I know many people are unhappy with it, even though overall it seems to be a huge boon for travel into and out of Seattle.
Try living in Burien. I was at a Port of Seattle commission candidate forum a few weeks ago in someone’s Burien backyard. Every 2 minutes the candidates had to stop speaking to let a landing plane fly over. The plane flew less than 1,000 feet overhead (10-12 building stories) even though we were 4 miles from the airport. A noise meter showed levels between 80 and 92 decibels, way above safe thresholds.
I had a migraine after an hour. I can’t imagine how folks in Burien survive in hot weather when you have to keep the windows open. Plus they can’t use their backyards anymore.
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The Port of Seattle has helped some residents install soundproofing as required by the FAA, but there are thousands more it refuses to help. Most of these folks are working class and retirees. They bought their homes many years ago and have lost most of their (remaining) property value and equity because of the Port’s actions and now can’t sell or move. Some of these neighborhoods could soon become jet ghettos.
It’s part of living in big city yes, but what’s most disturbing to me is that the Port of Seattle misled residents for years, underplaying the impact of the new runway, claiming it would be used only in “inclement” weather.
Not surprisingly, our elected Port of Seattle commissioners just shrug and take more contributions from the airlines and airport developers.
Nothing out of the ordinary on North 53rd. Every once in a while I notice weather related re-directions, but nothing note worthy. The I-5 construction noise on the other hand………….
I have also noticed the loud plane in the middle of the night. It happens once every night and has actually been loud enough to where a house guest was woken up and frightened. I’m thinking it’s a freight plane landing at Boeing but who knows.
I should have noted (38th and Densmore). Woke me up again last night. Something has definitely changed recently! I think they’re using Densmore to line up their flight path 🙂
Yes, things have changed. From what I understand they have altered all of their flight paths due to the new third runway. People who were not previously affected before are now right under the new flight path due to the opening of this runway. If you bought a house in what was once a quiet neighborhood it is loud with some planes flying over 2 minutes apart non stop at low attitudes even this far away on some days. If you are under it now it appears to be newly created and not about to change anytime soon.