DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT RELEASED FOR LAX LANDSIDE ACCESS MODERNIZATION PROGRAM; 45-DAY PUBLIC REVIEW, COMMENT PERIOD BEGINS
(Los Angeles, California —September 15, 2016) Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) today released the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) Landside Access Modernization Program (LAMP). This begins a 45-day public review and comment period that ends October 31, 2016.
The Draft EIR studied the LAX Landside Access Modernization Program, which includes a 2.25- mile Automated People Mover (APM), a Consolidated Rental Car Center (CONRAC), two Intermodal Transfer Facilities (ITF), roadway and highway upgrades, transportation management policies, and related plan amendments and other entitlements.
The LAMP is designed to relieve traffic congestion within the LAX Central Terminal Area and on surrounding streets; improve the travel experience for passengers; provide connection to the regional Metro light-rail system at the Airport Metro Connector station at 96th Street/Aviation Boulevard; reduce vehicle emissions and improve air quality for communities adjacent to LAX; and transform LAX into a modern, state-of-the-art airport servicing passengers, employees and neighbors.
Release of the DEIR marks the next step in the environmental review and clearance process for LAMP that began in 2014. The draft report examines potential community impacts and suggests possible mitigation measures to address those impacts. The environmental process also included collaboration with key agency and community stakeholders.
“The release of the Draft EIR is an important milestone for LAX and the entire region,” said LAWA Chief Executive Officer Deborah Flint. “We want to hear from the community, airport users, and area stakeholders about how L.A.can improve ground transportation at LAX, reduce traffic congestion, and directly connect to the Metro regional transit system.”
The LAMP Draft EIR is available for review at www.connectingLAX.com and at the following locations:
· Culver City Library , 4975 Overland Drive, Culver City, CA 90230
· Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Regional Branch Library , 3900 South Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90062
· El Segundo Library , 111 West Mariposa Avenue, El Segundo, CA 90245
· Hawthorne Library , 12700 Grevillea Avenue, Hawthorne, CA 90250
· Inglewood Library , 101 West Manchester Boulevard, Inglewood, CA 90301
· Westchester-Loyola Village Branch Library , 7114 West Manchester Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90045
Two community workshops are scheduled next month where the public may provide comment:
· Saturday, October 15, 2016, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Senior Center at Westchester Recreation Center
7000 West Manchester Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90045
· Wednesday, October 19, 2016, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Flight Path Learning Center and Museum
6661 West Imperial Highway, Los Angeles, CA 90045
The public may also provide written comments at www.lawa.org/ourLAX/comments.aspx or to Evelyn Quintanilla, Chief of Airport Planning, Los Angeles World Airports, P.O. Box 92216, Los Angeles, CA 90009-2216.
The project would be built in phases with construction of the APM, ITFs, CONRAC, and initial roadway improvements set to begin in 2017 and 2018 and become operational in 2024. The other LAMP elements would begin in 2025.
Included in the EIR are cutting-edge sustainability measures that will be implemented as part of the comprehensive LAMP project. These include identifying program elements for solar power, renewable energy and use of reclaimed water. Further, all LAMP facilities will exceed 2010 Los Angeles Green Building Standard Codes for Tier 1, exceed 2008 energy efficiency standards by 15 percent, reduce potable water use as required in California Building standard codes by 30 percent, comply with low impact development (LID) standards, provide ample bicycle parking, and improve walkability.
“LAMP encompasses sustainability in design and construction,” said Flint. “Los Angeles is a national leader in sustainable construction, and the modernization of LAX will provide yet another opportunity to raise the bar.”
About Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
LAX is the seventh busiest airport in the world and third in the United States. LAX served more than 74.9 million passengers in 2015. LAX offers 742 daily nonstop flights to 101 cities in the U.S. and 1,273 weekly nonstop flights to 76 cities in 41 countries on 64 commercial air carriers. LAX ranks 12th in the world and fifth in the U.S. in air cargo tonnage processed, with more than 2.1 million tons of air cargo valued at over $101.4 billion. LAX handled 655,564 operations (landings and takeoffs) in 2015.
An economic study based on 2014 operations reported LAX generated 620,610 jobs in Southern California with labor income of $37.3 billion and economic output (business revenues) of more than $126.6 billion. This activity added $6.2 billion to local and state revenues and $8.7 billion in federal tax revenues. The study also reported that LAX’s ongoing capital-improvement program creates an additional 121,640 annual jobs with labor income of $7.6 billion and economic output of $20.3 billion, $966 million in state and local taxes, and $1.6 billion in federal tax 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.
