Sea-Tac Airport grounded; Space Needle closed

Associated Press

Closures and other developments in Washington state stemming from the attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C.:

SEATTLE-TACOMA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – Along with all other airports in the state and across the nation, traffic at Sea-Tac was grounded, with only incoming planes allowed to land. Concourses were closed, but stranded travelers were being allowed to stay in the main terminal.

MILITARY BASES – Security was beefed up a McChord Air Force Base, Fort Lewis, the Navy’s Bangor submarine base, and other military installations around the state. Identification checks at the gates to Fort Lewis jammed traffic on adjacent Interstate 5. A 25-mile no-fly zone was imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration around Bangor, home to the Pacific fleet of strategic nuclear submarines and one of the nation’s largest nuclear weapons arsenals.

STATE CAPITOL – Gov. Gary Locke ordered the Capitol closed to the public while airplanes were still airborne, but refused to evacuate his staff and the other workers in the building. Other state buildings remained open.

STATE FERRIES – Vehicles were barred from most state ferries to guard against car bombs. Service continued for walk-on passengers. Vehicles were allowed on ferries to and from Vashon Island and the San Juan Island, but only after police searches.

SPACE NEEDLE – Seattle’s most famous landmark was closed for the day as a precaution, along with the 76-story Columbia Tower and the Northgate Mall.

HANFORD NUCLEAR RESERVATION – A storage facility for weapons-grade plutonium, the reservation near Yakima was placed on a heightened level of security, with identification required of all people entering and leaving.

BRIDGES, TUNNELS AND DAMS – Transportation and emergency management officials began heightened monitoring of bridges, tunnels, dams and other vulnerable facilities, similar to the scrutiny that would follow an earthquake.

TRAINS – Amtrak service in Washington was suspended. Freight service for Burlington Northern, Santa Fe Railway and Union Pacific Railroad was interrupted, but resumed Tuesday morning.

STATE COURTS – The Washington Supreme Court convened as scheduled to hear oral arguments. Other state courts met at individual judges’ discretion. At least one trial in Thurston County was postponed because attorneys had friends in the World Trade Center.

FEDERAL BUILDINGS – The federal court house in downtown Seattle was placed on high alert, and the federal court house in Spokane was closed.

SPORTS – Major and minor league baseball games were postponed, including the Mariners at the Angels in Anaheim.

PUYALLUP FAIR – Tuesday’s concert by Mya was canceled, but the fair itself remained open.

SCHOOLS – Schools remained open as usual.