How do current RCF construction impacts affect travel times, and what traffic buffer should I budget for the SeaTac Rental Car Facility?

The SeaTac Rental Car Facility (RCF) is currently experiencing major construction activities that are significantly impacting traffic flow and transit operations along the primary access routes, particularly on International Boulevard and the dedicated facility roadways. Renters are strongly advised to budget an additional 45 to 60 minutes of travel buffer time when heading to or departing from the facility. During peak travel windows, specifically between 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, lane reductions and heavy machinery movement near the 3150 S 160th Street entrance can cause shuttle bus delays of up to 25 minutes and private vehicle queues extending over 1 mile. This ongoing construction project, scheduled to continue through November 2024, aims to expand capacity but currently restricts available lanes. To avoid missing flights or scheduled pickup times, customers must incorporate this extra transit buffer into their itineraries. Utilizing real-time navigation apps like Waze or Google Maps is highly recommended to monitor live congestion on the day of travel. Planning ahead with these specific time metrics ensures a smoother, less stressful experience despite the ongoing roadway modifications.