(Los Angeles, CA) Each month, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) shares updates on current and upcoming construction projects at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). This newsletter contains information about the status of projects within the terminals at LAX, as well as construction impacts to the airport roadways and the surrounding communities.

In September, work continues on the Automated People Mover (APM) train guideway and stations, along with terminal vertical core and reconstruction projects in the Central Terminal Area (CTA). Temporary pedestrian walkways are in place in the construction zones on the Upper/Departures Level, reducing the drop-off lane availability. On the Lower/Arrivals Level, LAWA-operated buses use the inside lanes, which are also reduced due to construction. Portions of Center Way are closed for APM guideway and station construction, with other roadways/lanes restricted overnight.

As work continues on the various elements of the Landside Access Modernization Program (LAMP), a link is available for webcams that will allow the public to see the development of the APM guideway and stations, Consolidated Rent-a-Car (ConRAC) facility, APM Maintenance and Storage Facility and Intermodal Transportation Facility-West (ITF-West). The cameras can be viewed by clicking here. Photo galleries are available here. An interactive map that includes current construction projects can be found here. Click on the hard hats for more information about specific lane closures and construction projects.

During construction of a terminal vertical core, the escalator between the Upper/Departures and Concourse Level at Terminal 7 has been replaced with a staircase. Nearby elevators remain open.

Terminal Construction/Renovation:

• Terminal 1: Gate 10 is permanently closed for construction of Terminal 1.5. Gate 12A is closed until completion of Terminal 1.5. The pedestrian bridge connecting Parking Structure 1 and the terminal is closed, with signs placed to direct passengers.
• Terminal 2: Gates 21 and 21A are closed during construction of Terminal 1.5.
  
• Terminal 3: Terminal 3 is closed to prepare for major reconstruction work.
  
• Tom Bradley International Terminal: The north escalators and stairs located outside the terminal are temporarily closed due to vertical core construction. Gate 134 remains closed for construction related to the Midfield Satellite Concourse and expansion of baggage handling capacity. Work continues on an addition to the terminal near Gate 148 that will house elevators and escalators that access the tunnel to the new concourse. 
• Terminals 4 and 5: The renovation program continues. Baggage Carousels 1 and 2 in Terminal 4 have been replaced and expanded, with Carousels 3 and 4 taken off line during construction of a terminal vertical core.
• Terminal 6: Gate 61 is closed for construction of a terminal vertical core.
• Terminal 7: Restrooms in the baggage claim area are closed overnight for construction of a terminal vertical core. Guests may use restrooms in the concourse area before exiting to baggage claim or go upstairs to the ticketing lobby restrooms if they have already exited security. A staircase has temporarily replaced an escalator between the Upper/Departures Level and the Concourse Level during construction of the terminal vertical core. Nearby elevators remain available.

Updates on Other Projects:

• Landside Access Modernization Program (LAMP): The $5.5 billion Landside Access Modernization Program is in the midst of heavy construction on all of the components. The APM's elevated guideway is taking shape as falsework for the guideway has been erected along 96th Street and across both 96th and 98th Streets. The Maintenance and Storage Facility's steel structure continues to move forward while construction of the train wash and storage and test tracks is underway. The Intermodal Transportation Facility-West is the furthest along of all six stations, with the concrete support structure for the circulation level complete and the first concrete placement for the station’s guideway imminent. Construction on the East Central Terminal Area station is similarly advanced, with guideway falsework nearing completion. The Consolidated Rent-A-Car Facility (ConRAC) continues growing, with second-level decks being poured for the Ready Return/Idle Storage and Quick Turn Around buildings.
• Airport Police Facility: The final structural concrete pour took place in early August on the roof of the parking structure. Construction is now focused on building the exterior walls of the headquarters building including the concrete block wall skin and exterior glass window walls. The work will also include the installation of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire sprinkler system piping inside the headquarters building and parking structure. Site grading work around the site is in progress to shape the future landscaped areas. The builder is working in Loyola Blvd and Westchester Parkway to make sewer and storm drain connections to these City utilities. 
  

As APM work schedules allow, one southbound lane is open on East Way on the Lower/Arrivals Level.

Roadway and Transit Impacts in the Central Terminal Area:

• World Way: Overnight lane closures are possible on the Lower/Arrivals Level starting in mid-September for pedestrian bridge foundation work.
  
• Terminals 1 and 2: The right-most drop-off lane on the Upper/Departures Level is closed to vehicles until late this year while it is used for a covered pedestrian walkway in the Terminal 1.5 construction area between Terminals 1 and 2. Overnight closures on the Upper/Departures Level may reduce the roadway to one lane.
  
• Terminals 2 and 3: The right drop-off lane in the construction area on the Upper/Departures Level is closed for use as a temporary covered walkway. On the Lower/Arrivals Level, several outside lanes and the inside lanes will be closed occasionally for installation of utility tie-ins at Terminal 3. Buses will be detoured to the outer lanes between columns 2Q and 3H. Later this month, work to drill a Cast-In-Drilled-Hole (CIDH) will reduce the Lower/Arrivals Level outer roadway to two westbound lanes. The work is scheduled to take place overnight Sept. 14-20, then continuously Sept. 20-25, and will also close the entrance to Parking Structure 2b. The entrance to P2b will remain accessible from the Upper/Departures Level.
  
• Tom Bradley International Terminal: Two drop-off lanes on the Upper/Departures Level on the northern side of the terminal are closed while a temporary, covered walkway is in place during work to add a terminal vertical core to the front of the building. The outer commercial island on the Lower/Arrivals Level has been widened by 6 feet to allow space for more guests. 
• Terminal 4: Construction of a temporary pedestrian walkway on the Upper/Departures Level closes the two drop-off lanes at the east end of Terminal 4. Once the walkway is in place, only one drop-off lane will be available in this area.
  
• Terminals 5 and 6: One of the two drop-off lanes on the Upper/Departures Level has been replaced by a temporary, covered walkway during construction of a terminal vertical core. Overnight lane closures are possible on the Lower/Arrivals Level in front of Terminal 6 starting in mid-September while sewer lines are connected.
  
• East Way: Overnight closures are possible on both levels for installation of APM columns and guideway falsework.
  
• Center Way: Center Way between West Way and Theme Way is closed at times to facilitate construction of the APM guideway and stations, with a full-time closure returning in mid-September. During work hours, vehicles exiting Parking Structure 2a will be routed west on Center Way to exit the CTA. Center Way between East Way and Circle Way is closed overnight and some weekdays. Vehicles exiting Parking Structure 1 will use Center Way west to East Way to exit the airport during work hours.
• Theme Way: Theme Way is closed between World Way and Center Way for APM construction through July 2022.
• West Way: Northbound West Way is closed between World Way South and World Way North on the Lower/Arrivals Level through April 2021 for work on the APM. Southbound traffic will use the northbound lanes in the area of the construction, with egress from Parking Structure 2b, the entrance to Parking Structure 5 and pedestrian traffic maintained. Overnight lane closures are possible on both levels for the installation of APM columns and guideway falsework.

Central Terminal Area roadways with full-time lane closures as of the start of September are shown.

Sidewalk/Walkway/Parking Structure Restrictions and Closures:

• Real-Time Parking Updates: Guests can access maps with real-time information on parking availability by visiting https://www.flylax.com/en/parking-at-lax. Parking rates and a calculator to estimate costs can also be found on this webpage. Parking availability can also be found on the @FlyLAXstats Twitter feed.
• No Cash Accepted: Cashiers in Parking Structures 1, 2a, 5 and 6 cannot accept cash during the COVID-19 pandemic. All parking payments in these locations are card only. Payment machines for motorists who park in P2b, P3, P4 and P7 accept cash.
• Parking Structure 1: Electric vehicle chargers have been relocated, with 20 stalls available in the east portion of the structure. Traffic exiting the structure is directed west on Center Way to East Way and World Way South to exit the airport when work takes place at Center and Circle ways.
• Terminals 1 and 2: Construction on Terminal 1.5 will narrow the sidewalk between Terminals 1 and 2 on the Lower/Arrivals Level. A covered walkway is located on the Upper/Departures Level, and will be in place until later this summer.
• Parking Structures 2a/2b: A temporary exit has opened from P2b onto West Way. In addition, P2b uses an automated payment system. Due to overnight construction on Center Way, vehicles exiting P2a will be directed west on Center Way to West Way and World Way South to exit the CTA. The Lower/Arrivals Level entrance to P2b will be closed during work to drill a CIDH, overnight Sept. 14-20 and then continuously Sept. 20-25. The Upper/Departures Level entrance to P2b will remain open.
  
• Terminals 2 and 3: Temporary, covered walkways are in place in the construction zones on the Upper/Departures and Lower/Arrivals Levels.
  
• Tom Bradley International Terminal: Temporary, covered walkways are in place in the construction zones at the north end of the terminal.
  
• Parking Structures 3 and 4: A temporary traffic pattern is in place due to enabling work for construction of the APM. An automated payment system has replaced the cashier booths, with motorists exiting the structures onto World Way. The ground level of P3 has been converted into a passenger pick-up area (Terminal B Pickup), with taxis allowed to use the western-most curb during a pilot.
• Terminal 4: A temporary, covered walkway is being constructed on the Upper/Departures Level at the east end of the building, near the construction of a terminal vertical core.
  
• Terminals 5 and 6: A temporary, covered walkway is in place between Terminals 5 and 6 on the Upper/Departures Level to accommodate guests while a terminal vertical core, which will connect to the future APM, is constructed. Overnight work to connect sewer lines many close sidewalks at Terminal 6 starting in mid-September. A pedestrian detour will be posted.
  
• Parking Structure 6: The pedestrian bridge between Parking Structure 6 and Terminal 6 has been removed. Guests should access Terminals 5 and 6 from the Lower/Arrivals Level. 
• Center Way: The sidewalk path between Terminal 7 and LAX-it is temporarily altered due to work on the APM at the corner of Center and Circle Ways. The new pedestrian route is marked with detour signs.

Impacts Near LAX: 

• Airport Boulevard: The right turn lane from southbound Airport Boulevard to 96th Street is closed during work on the APM guideway. Motorists can still turn right onto 96th Street at the traffic signal. Nightly closures are possible at 96th Street for approximately one week for APM guideway and temporary bridge support construction.
  
• Arbor Vitae Street: Daytime lane closures are possible Monday-Friday between Bellanca Avenue and La Cienega Boulevard to facilitate the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s underground power duct bank installation in preparation for the future ConRAC Facility
  
• Aviation Boulevard: One lane is closed in each direction between Century Boulevard and Arbor Vitae Street for CIDH work for the Intermodal Transportation Facility-East. One through lane will remain open in each direction during the day, but occasional full nighttime closures are in effect.
• Aviation/Century Boulevards: Work to restore the sidewalks at the intersection may occasionally close the right lane.
  
• La Cienega Boulevard: Daytime lane closures are possible Monday-Friday for utility investigation work south of Arbor Vitae Street.
  
• 96th Street: Nightly closures are possible for construction of APM guideway a between Vicksburg Avenue and Jenny Avenue. CIDH work will require full overnight closures of sections of 96th Street between Bellanca Avenue and Airport Boulevard.
  
• 98th Street: Due to Los Angeles Department of Water and Power construction of a new water main, 98th Street is limited to one westbound lane between Bellanca Avenue and Vicksburg Avenue until mid-2021 Metered parking is still available on the north side of the street.
• Sepulveda Boulevard: Construction activities in preparation for APM foundation and guideway work will require overnight closures of the right lane in both directions near the airport entrance this month.
• Streets surrounding LAX: Intermittent, short-term lane closures may take place as needed on streets in the LAX area. Streets include Century Boulevard, 96th and 98th Streets, Airport Boulevard, Westchester Parkway/Arbor Vitae Street, and Aviation Boulevard. At least one through lane of traffic will be maintained at all times and access to businesses will be maintained.
• World Way West: Lanes will be reduced nightly for utility installation. With the Midfield Satellite Concourse's change to an airside project, World Way West is closed east of Coast Guard Road.

Please note that all dates provided in this notice are subject to change. Up-to-date construction alerts showing roadway lane restrictions and sidewalk closures in the terminal loop, as well as a pedestrian walking map and helpful airline terminal finder, can be found at  www.flyLAX.com. LAX also partners with Waze, the world’s largest community-based traffic reporting app, to provide enhanced information on conditions inside the airport and on nearby roadways. 

Progress continues on the new headhouse for Terminals 2 and 3, which will include ticketing, baggage claims and a connection to the Automated People Mover train.

About Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

LAX, the third-busiest airport in the world and second busiest in the United States in 2019, is in the midst of a $14.3-billion capital improvement program that will touch on all nine passenger terminals and build new facilities, including an Automated People Mover (APM) train, Consolidated Rent-A-Car (ConRAC) facility and a 12- to 15-gate Midfield Satellite Concourse (MSC) addition to the Tom Bradley International Terminal.

 

In 2019, LAX served nearly 88.1 million passengers and offered an average of 700 daily nonstop flights to 113 destinations in the U.S. and 1,200 weekly nonstop flights to 91 markets in 46 countries on 72 commercial airlines.

 

LAX generates 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 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 (LAWA), a proprietary department of the City of Los Angeles that receives no funding from the City’s general fund. 

 

LAWA is leading the aviation industry in sustainability practices, with initiatives related to water management, energy (electricity) management, air quality, recycling and natural resources management. In 2019, LAX received Level III ACI Airport Carbon Accreditation from Airport Councils International-Europe.

 

LAWA is also a leader in inclusivity, operating eight programs that provide opportunities for business enterprises including local, small, minority-owned, veteran-owned and disadvantaged firms, and working together with community partners to offer the HireLAX Apprenticeship Readiness Program, which targets local workers to make them ready for rewarding careers in the construction trades, and the Build LAX Academy, designed to prepare small contracting businesses for success when working on projects at LAX.

 

LAX was named a top-10 U.S. airport by SKYTRAX in 2018, and was honored as the “Most Innovative Airport for Passenger Experience” in 2019 by the American Association of Airport Executives. LAX is the second-most popular airport in the world to appear on Instagram, according to wego.com. Other recent honors have included selection as the No. 9 Best Airport (Wall Street Journal); No. 7 Best On-Time Performance for a Mega-Hub Airport (OAG); one of “The World’s Best Airports for Business Travelers” (GlobeHunters); Public-Private Partnership of the Year (P3 Bulletin); Urth Caffe, Best Airport Coffee Concession of the Year (Global FAB Awards); Innovation of the Year, Consolidated Rent-A-Car Facility (ARTBA); Best Project, United Airlines Terminal 7 and 8 Redevelopment Program (Engineering News Record California); North American Public-Private Partnership Deal of the Year (IJ Global); and Innovative Transportation Solution of the Year, Automated People Mover (WTS LA).

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. 

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