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Yesterday, Sound Transit, the Port of Seattle and city of SeaTac announced plans to extend Central Link light-rail service to Sea-Tac International Airport.

The parties will integrate a light-rail system into the port’s airport expansion plans, which include extending the existing terminal to the north and east. The port will complete necessary roadway improvements for the extension.

The port plans to move the northbound lane of the airport expressway to the east so light-rail tracks can be installed in the expressway median. The port also will remove "return to terminal" ramps at the airport garage’s north end to make room for a light-rail station.

To be located on the fourth level of the existing airport parking garage, the Central Link station will include an elevated walkway to International Boulevard and a pedestrian connection to the airport’s ticket counters.

Sound Transit plans to fund its $225 million portion of the project through existing revenue.

The project is scheduled to be complete in December 2009, in time for the 2010 Winter Olympics to be held in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Sound Transit estimates that by 2020, about 3,000 passengers will use the airport station daily.