LAX MODERNIZATION UPDATE: JUNE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS MAY CAUSE PASSENGER IMPACTS

Construction continues on several projects at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) – all part of the ongoing multi-billion-dollar airport modernization program. The latest impacts to travelers will be the closure of Center Way from Theme Way to East Way, the temporary and intermediate closure of the Upper/Departures Level Roadway, and the relocation of the TSA Screening Area on the south side of the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT), among other ongoing construction projects. 

Visitors and travelers should look for and follow the comprehensive way-finding signage in place near all construction sites to ensure their safety and to enhance mobility.

Passengers and motorists are advised that roadway lane restrictions are in effect on a nightly or continuous (24 hours, seven days a week) basis in the Central Terminal Area:

·            Every night, short portions of Lane 4 (the inner lane) on the Lower/Arrivals Level Roadway will be shut down in front of pre-selected terminals, two at a time, from May 27 to June 24, from 1 am to 8 am, for Ground Penetrating Radar exploration.  This non-destructive examination calls for work crews in scissor lifts placed on the Lower Level Roadway to examine the Upper Level Roadway in order to locate reinforcing steel (rebar) within the structure in order to aid roadway reinforcement efforts.  There will be two sets of crews, one starting at Terminal 1 and working west, the other starting at Terminal 4 and working east. Impacts to traffic and passenger flow are expected to be minimal.

·            North Center Way between Theme Way (the street near Parking Structure 2A) and East Way will be closed from 12 am to 11 am Monday through Friday, and from 6 am to 4:30 pm Saturday as needed, as part of the Center Way widening effort.  This closure is ongoing through August 29.  This effort will ultimately result in a three-lane road for part of Center Way North, which will ease traffic congestion for motorists.

·            The northbound portion of East Way, as well as part of one lane of southbound East Way, will be closed from World Way North to World Way South from May 27 to September 5, 12 am to 3 pm, for roadway improvements related to the Center Way Widening project.

Sidewalk closures   will be in effect at the following locations: 

·                     Terminal 7’s lower level sidewalk and median will be closed for work on curbside escalators. Pedestrians will be rerouted from June 2 to August 8.

·                     The sidewalks along Center Way North will be closed between the Central Utility Plant and East Way, and along East Way for the Center Way Widening effort.

·                     There will be periodic and intermittent partial sidewalk closures outside TBIT on the Upper/Departures Level due to work on the exterior canopies as part of the New Face of LAX Project, which aims to unify the exterior appearance of LAX’s nine terminals.  Closures are expected to occur from 12 midnight to 9 am and from 4 am to 2:30 pm through July 14.  Some escalators outside TBIT may also be periodically impacted by this work.

·         Portions of the sidewalk in and around Terminal 1 and Parking Structure 1 through July 3, 2014, and at Terminal 7 and Parking Structure 7 from June 2, 2014 to August 8, 2014 will be temporarily closed during non-peak hours for Americans with Disabilities Act improvements to the sidewalk ramps, sidewalk evenness, crosswalks, and parking structure stalls.

Renovations inside terminals are also underway in:

·                  Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT): The Southside TSA screening area is closing for construction of escalators and elevators leading to the upper level of the terminal on Friday, May 30.  A temporary TSA screening area will open in the rear-center of TBIT’s ticketing area on Thursday, May 29 to relieve congestion caused by the southside screening area closure. This temporary area will ultimately consist of eight TSA checkpoints and will be used until the final TSA screening area partially opens to the public Fall 2014.

·                  Terminal 4: As the Terminal 4 Connector Project -- bridging Terminal 4 and TBIT post-security -- continues construction on the airfield, it will impact the use of some west-facing gates in Terminal 4.  During the interim, passengers are being bussed to remote gates on the west side of the airfield.  The Terminal 4 Connector is expected to complete construction in late 2015.

·                  Terminal 5: Delta Airlines is continuing its upgrade effort.  Passengers will encounter construction barricades and work-related noise on both the arrivals and departures levels. Work is anticipated on this project through 2015.

Airport officials are asking motorists to help reduce traffic congestion in and around LAX by taking public transportation to and from LAX, including the inexpensive and convenient LAX FlyAway® nonstop bus service at Union Station, Van Nuys, and Westwood.  If picking up passengers, motorists are encouraged to parking and wait inside their vehicles at the free LAX Cell Phone Waiting Lot at the intersection of 96th Street and Vicksburg Avenue, adjacent to the entrance of LAX Economy Parking Lot C.

About Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

            LAX is the sixth busiest airport in the world and third in the United States. LAX offers 692 daily nonstop flights to 85 cities in the U.S. and 928 weekly nonstop flights to 67 cities in 34 countries on 64 commercial air carriers. LAX ranks 14th in the world and fifth in the U.S. in air cargo tonnage processed, with over 1.9 million tons of air cargo valued at over $86.9 billion. An economic study in 2011 reported that operations at LAX generated 294,400 jobs in Los Angeles County with labor income of $13.6 billion and economic output of more than $39.7 billion. This activity added $2.5 billion to local and state revenues. LAX is part of a system of three Southern California airports – along with LA/Ontario International and Van Nuys general aviation – that are owned and operated by Los Angeles World Airports, a proprietary department of the City of Los Angeles that receives no funding from the City’s general fund.

            As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and, upon request, will provide reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities. Alternative formats in large print, braille, audio, and other forms (if possible) will be provided upon request.