MAYOR HAHN UNVEILS NEW SAFETY AND SECURITY ALTERNATIVE TO LAX MASTER PLAN
Alternative D Map
Safety and Security Alternative Fact Sheet
(Los Angeles, California -- July 2, 2002) Faced with airport overcrowding and the need to build a safer airport, Mayor Jim Hahn today unveiled a new alternative to the LAX master plan that not only addresses the concerns of the surrounding communities, but also meets security demands.
Mayor Hahn, who currently serves as Chair of the Airport Safety and Security Task Force of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, last fall directed the Board of Airport Commissioners to develop an alternative to the master plan that incorporates the latest technologies and design to address safety and security at the airport while still maintaining his pledge to prevent unreasonable growth at LAX.
"In the past ten months, I have worked to develop a new airport configuration, with the emphasis on building an airport that is functional, efficient, safe and secure," stated Mayor Hahn.
"Last October, I directed the Board of Airport Commissioners to work on developing an alternative plan that would raise the level of safety and security, effectively meet the demand for 78 million annual passengers, eliminate the ring road, add no new runways, seek to eliminate runway incursions and mitigate the negative impacts this airport creates to the surrounding community. I am glad to announce today that we are delivering on those promises," Hahn added.
The proposed plan will cost approximately $9 - $10 billion and will be done in four phases beginning in 2004. The airport will remain fully operational during construction.
Mary Lou Crocket, a Westchester community activist and former airport commissioner, applauded Mayor Hahn's goals in seeking stakeholders input, including that from the neighboring communities, in an effort to create a consensus behind the plan.
"Clearly staff took the Mayor's vision and designed a strategy that focuses on a single principle: building a state of the art airport for Los Angeles and its travelers," Crocket said. "This plan presents an opportunity to build a secure and convenient LAX that serves a global market, but not at the expense of the surrounding community."
United Airlines also commended Mayor Hahn for his decision to move forward with his plan to modernize Los Angeles International Airport.
"United looks forward to active and direct involvement in the refining of this project so as to provide our customers with greater convenience and efficiencies, and to ensure that LAX continues to occupy its rightful position as the leading economic engine of this area," said Mark Liberman, United Airlines Vice President-Western Region.
The reconfiguration of LAX is critical to the regional economy. Worldwide, LAX ranks third in tons of air cargo handled, with 2.2 millions tons of freight shipped in 2000. LAX also contributes more than 400,000 jobs to the region. Those numbers are expected to multiply with the airport's makeover.
"A key factor is planning for future growth in international airline traffic, especially in accommodating the next generation of long-haul jets," said Jack Kyser, from the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation. "Our future relies on the international market place. We must make sure that we have the most efficient door to the market, because if we don't there are a lot of other areas that will grab our business."
"The new alternative Mayor Hahn has proposed appears to be a good step in the right direction to modernizing LAX and spreading air traffic throughout Southern California. This plan reflects much of what the community has been calling for at LAX," said Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe, who represents the LAX area.
Hahn's plan for LAX also received support form the local Chapter of the Association of Flights Attendants.
"The Mayor's alternative for LAX looks to the future of the aviation industry and has provided for the space needed to provide a secure structure for employee parking, which includes a separate security checkpoint for all employees. This will streamline the procedure for those who work here and, most importantly, standardize it," said Holly Hightower, Secretary Treasurer for the Los Angeles Chapter of the Association of Flight Attendants.
