Seattle Port Commission to Consider Interim Site for Truck Parking

Move would reduce impacts to surrounding neighborhoods

On Tuesday, the Port of Seattle Commission will consider designating land at Terminal 10 as an interim truck parking site. The location, adjacent to existing cargo terminals as well as the West Seattle Bridge, would serve as a temporary solution, reducing truck traffic through nearby neighborhoods while the Port and the City determine a permanent location for area truckers.

"We all have a stake in maintaining vibrant, livable neighborhoods as well as the family-wage jobs that trade creates," said Commissioner Gael Tarleton. "The Port, the City, our truckers, and our neighborhoods must all work together to find answers that work for communities and industry. Creating an interim truck parking location is a good first step, one that moves us toward a key goal of the Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy: clean trucks serving a green Port."

The Commission will consider authorizing $450,000 for design and permitting necessary to improve the ten acre site, which could support approximately 250 parking spaces for trucks. The necessary improvements to the site - which include upgraded drainage and necessary environmental actions, such as soil and groundwater cleanup and ensuring compliance with stormwater regulations - are expected to cost just over $3 million.

"The Port's mission of creating jobs and economic growth is even more important given the economic pressures facing our state right now," said Commission President John Creighton. "But that growth does not have to happen at the expense of our environment and our neighborhoods - the Port Commission is committed to strategies that grow our Port in a sustainable, responsible way."

The Port Commission and staff have been working with City of Seattle officials for some time to reduce neighborhood impacts while also supporting the cargo activities at the Port. "I'm happy that the community engaged the Port of Seattle and the City to address concerns about truck traffic in neighborhoods near the Port. This is a great step toward promoting a healthy economy and healthy neighborhoods," Seattle City Council member Sally Clark said. "The City will work with the Port, the community and the trucking industry to find long-term solutions to the impacts of trucks in neighborhoods."

The Commission will consider using Terminal 10 for interim parking at its regular meeting on March 25th. If the Commission approves the use, it will take approximately one year to complete all of the necessary site improvements.

Port of Seattle transportation facilities support nearly 200,000 jobs in the Puget Sound region and generate more than $12 billion in business revenue and $626 million in state and local taxes annually.