A planned third runway at Seattle Tacoma International Airport cleared a hurdle when local opponents agreed to drop their challenge to the $1.1-billion project. The Airport Communities Coalition, which includes several area municipalities, said Aug. 17 they would withdraw an appeal they filed to the Washington state Pollution Control Hearings Board.
Paige Miller, president of the Port of Seattle Commission, said, "The airport and the surrounding communities are committed to putting the litigation behind us, and working collaboratively for the benefit of the citizens of the area."