Sea-Tac passengers have not been able to see air traffic from the middle of the terminal since a major renovation nearly 30 years ago. The new terminal, constructed primarily of glass and steel, will offer views of the airfield and Olympic Mountains.

Construction is expected to take approximately three years but "it will put the heart back into the airport,'' according to airport officials. The project is budgeted at $82 million, but another $12 million likely will be spent on relocating utilities and other infrastructure.

The Port of Seattle owns and operates the airport and began a $3 billion remodeling design in 1997. Demolition of some shops and restaurants is expected to begin next month. Some airport facilities – including portions of the Delta and Horizon Airlines operations, will be relocated.