For Immediate Release
July 11, 2019
Contact:
Stephanie Sampson
(424) 646-5260
(Los Angeles, CA) Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti joined Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) leadership and elected officials for a ceremonial groundbreaking for the Intermodal Transportation Facility – West (ITF-West), a key component of Los Angeles International Airport’s (LAX) Landside Access Modernization Program (LAMP). Located between Westchester Parkway and 96th Street, the ITF-West, a parking structure and mobility hub, will be the first component of LAX’s modernization projects to be completed, opening in 2021. Two new roadways – Jetway Boulevard and 93rd Street – will provide direct access to the facility.
“Today’s groundbreaking is an important milestone in our work to build the world-class airport travelers expect and deserve,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. “Once complete, the ITF-West will stand as a new front door to our airport welcoming travelers, reducing traffic congestion, and offering a seamless connection with the upcoming Automated People Mover.”
"This is another milestone as LAX becomes both a world-class airport and first-class neighbor," said Councilmember Mike Bonin, who represents the communities adjacent to the airport. "This new facility will create one of three convenient alternatives to driving into the airport’s crowded central terminal area. From here, an elevated tram will pick up and drop off travelers in a matter of minutes, reducing frustration for those coming to and from the airport, and reducing traffic for neighbors I represent.”
"With tourism to Los Angeles at an all-time high, the continuing modernization of LAX will exponentially multiply positive economic impacts throughout the region," said Councilmember Joe Buscaino, Chair of the Trade, Travel and Tourism Committee. "ITF-West will serve visitors and LAX employees using the latest green and smart technology while preparing Los Angeles to welcome visitors for the 2028 Olympics."
The four-story structure will provide much-needed parking for the fourth-busiest airport in the world, adding approximately 4,500 stalls – more than half of the parking stalls located in the Central Terminal Area (CTA) structures today. Featuring short and long-term parking options, the facility also will boast a Meet and Greet area, valet parking, electrical vehicle charging stations, and potential space for concessions. A shuttle will transport travelers and employees from the ITF-West to and from the CTA until completion of the Automated People Mover (APM) project in 2023. The ITF-West will feature an APM station, providing direct access to the new train system, and time-guaranteed access to the CTA once the APM is completed.
“In Los Angeles, parking is at a premium, especially at the airport,” said Sean Burton, President, Board of Airport Commissioners. “As a Board, we are focused on offering options and adapting to the ever-changing patterns of transportation. The Intermodal Transportation Facility – West will provide new parking and mobility options for our guests and will be ready to adapt to future airport needs.”
The ITF-West also will house the 26,000 square foot LAWA Security & Badging Office (SBO), which will benefit the more than 55,000 badged employees at LAWA and the environment. Currently, the SBO is located on the far west side of the airport off Pershing Avenue and World Way. With the APM system connecting to the ITF-West and Airport Metro Connector Station in 2023, employees will be able to utilize public transportation and the APM to take care of their badging needs, helping to take vehicles off the roadways and lower emissions.
“One year ago today, our Board of Airport Commissioners approved the contract for Swinerton Builders to design and construct the Intermodal Transportation Facility – West, and as we now start to construct this facility, it’s a symbolic step towards reliable and functional access to LAX ” said Deborah Flint, Chief Executive Officer, LAWA. “By providing new options for our guests and employees with the latest parking technology, and multi-modality we are preparing LAX for the future of mobility.”
Sustainable elements include LED lighting with energy saving lighting controls, dedicated parking spaces for low emitting vehicles and car/van pools, low flow plumbing fixtures, electric vehicle charging stations, drought tolerant landscaping and recycled water.
The facility also will feature the latest smart parking technology. Parking Guidance Systems will be incorporated to identify the number of available parking spaces. This technology will be supplemented with a Parking Space Indicator System that directs drivers to available parking spaces through the use of green and red lights.
The experienced team of Swinerton Builders, featuring Watry and Gensler, is designing and building the project. The Swinerton team is fresh off of building the San Diego Airport Terminal 2 Parking Plaza and specializes in the construction of large parking structures.
The ITF-West is a major component of LAX’s $5.5 billion Landside Access Modernization Program (LAMP). LAMP also features the APM, a 2.25 mile elevated train guideway featuring six stations, which will connect the terminals to new off-site parking facilities, new pick-up/drop-off locations, a Consolidated Rent-A-Car Facility and will provide the long-awaited connection to the regional light rail system.
To learn more about LAX’s modernization projects and sign-up for email updates, visit FlyLAX.com/ConnectingLAX.
About Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
LAX, the fourth-busiest airport in the world and second busiest in the United States, was named a top-10 U.S. airport by SKYTRAX. LAX served more than 87.5 million passengers in 2018 and offers an average of 700 daily nonstop flights to 109 cities in the U.S. and 1,281 weekly nonstop flights to 93 markets in 47 countries on 69 commercial airlines. LAX ranks 10th in the world in air cargo tonnage processed, with more than 2.4 million tons of air cargo. LAX handled 707,883 operations (landings and takeoffs) in 2018.
LAX generated 620,600 jobs in Southern California, with labor income of $37.3 billion and economic output (business revenues) of more than $126.6 billion, according to an economic study based on 2014 operations. 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 was honored as having the “Best Overall Customer Service Program” by Airports Council International-North America; named the “Best Airport for Breastfeeding Moms” by Mamava; selected for the Top 10 “Best of the U.S.’s Big Airports” (Wall Street Journal) and “Most Pet-Friendly Airports in the U.S. (Mental Floss); named the second-most improved airport in the U.S. by JD Power; received an “Innovation Award” from the L.A. Better Business Challenge for its Central Utility Plant; and named a “Business Leader in Air Quality” by the South Coast Air Quality Management District.
LAX is also the second-most popular airport in the world to appear on Instagram, according to wego.com. LAX is part of a system of two Southern California airports – along with 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.
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