DECEMBER CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS MAY CAUSE PASSENGER IMPACTS

(Los Angeles, California – December 1, 2014) Ongoing construction at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) will continue to impact travelers during the month of December as sidewalk closures, roadway lane closures, and in-terminal construction may slow passenger flow. These construction efforts, part of the multi-billion-dollar, capital improvement modernization program underway throughout LAX, will ultimately result in a more modern airport that improves the overall customer experience. 

Anticipating an increase in the number of travelers using LAX during the holiday season, there will be a construction moratorium from December 19 through December 23 and December 26, on projects that would significantly impact passenger flow. Passengers are advised to look for and follow the comprehensive way-finding signage near all construction sites.

T he following roadway lane restrictions   are in effect on a nightly or continuous (24 hours, seven days a week) basis in the airport CTA:

·         To encourage safer vehicle speed on the upper level roadway, speed bumps across all lanes in two locations at Terminal 1 are being installed. Construction work for hinge replacement is ongoing and this traffic-calming measure will be strictly enforced throughout construction. The entire hinge replacement project is expected to complete in February 2016.

·         Height clearance is limited to 10’ 6” through February 2016 on the two curbside Lower/Arrivals Level passenger pick-up lanes of the CTA. Rotating single-lane closures on the Lower/Arrivals Level roadway will also be in effect on a continuous basis throughout the project. Warning signs and flashing lights alert drivers of the lower height restriction.  

·         An additional bypass lane is under construction east of Terminal 1 to increase access to the terminal curbside passenger drop-off lanes. This project is expected to complete on December 12.

·         Portions of Center Way will be closed nightly through 2014 for the Center Way Widening Project, which will turn the roadway bisecting the CTA into a three-lane airport exit road.

·         Trenching related to the Fifth Feeder Project, which will add capacity to the airport’s electric power structure, will cause portions of Center Way between Parking Structures 1 and 7, extending east to the LAWA Administration Building located at 1 World Way, to close intermittently through early 2015. Exit lanes from Parking Structure 7 may also be impacted.

Sidewalk/Walkway restrictions and closures   will be in effect at the following locations: 

·         As part of the Terminal 1 modernization project, portions of the sidewalk on the Upper/Departures and Lower/Arrival levels will be closed through March 2015. Pedestrian traffic will be temporarily rerouted into the curbside passenger drop-off lane with protection from construction barriers.

·         For Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance, the three crosswalks between Terminal 7 and the ground transportation islands will be re-striped with thermoplastic December 15-19.

·         Construction on sidewalk ramps in front of Terminals 1, 2, 5 and 7 will occur through January 9 to improve sidewalk access for all passengers.

·         Truncated domes will be installed near passenger walkways at Parking Structures 1 and 2 through January 9, adding detectable warnings to enable people with visual disabilities to determine the boundary between the sidewalk and street.

·         The west-facing elevator and stairwell bank in Parking Structure 4 will be closed through April 2015. Passengers are being re-directed to other elevators and stairwells in the interim.

·         Two curbside elevators outside of Terminal 5 are closed as part of Delta Air Lines’ renovation. Passengers are re-routed to other access points.

·         The sidewalks along Center Way North are closed for the remainder of this year from West Way near Parking Structure P2A and East Way, and along portions of East Way for the Center Way Widening Project.

Renovations inside terminals are also underway:

·           Terminal 1: Gates 1, 2, 3 and 5 are closed for aircraft apron reconstruction and renovation of the passenger waiting areas as part of Southwest Airlines’ $500-million renovation of Terminal 1. The gates will open intermittently next summer. Construction barricades will be in place on the west side of all levels of Terminal 1 through late 2015 for renovation of office spaces and passenger waiting areas. Camacho’s Cantina inside Terminal 1 is now closed, but the food court past the passenger security screening area remains open for use.

·           Terminal 2: As part of LAWA’s nearly $300-million renovation of Terminal 2, a completely new concessions program on both levels is scheduled to open in summer 2015. In the meantime, most concessions in the Terminal 2 concourse are closed. However, temporary coffee and grab-and-go eateries and retail stores will be put in place to serve passengers. All Lower/Arrivals Level concessions and the eastside restrooms are closed, but other restrooms, a temporary coffee shop and other concessions are open. Gate 23 has reopened and the Gate 24 passenger waiting area will re-open in early December. Gates 27 and 28 will remain open for boarding even though their passenger waiting areas will close in early December. Full terminal construction is scheduled to complete in 2016.

·           Terminal 3: On November 6, US Airways relocated from Terminal 3 to Terminal 6. Construction on the D-10 alleyway adjacent to the terminal on the airfield requires airlines using Gates 30 through 32 to tow aircraft to/from the gates. The D10 alleyway will also be limited to smaller-sized aircraft due to demolition of the original north concourse at the Tom Bradley International Terminal.

·           Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT): This month, the first phase of the new passenger screening area will open. When completed next year, the number of screening lanes will increase from 12 to 16. 

·            Terminal 4: Due to the Elevator/Escalator Replacement Project, two curbside escalators and one curbside elevator will be closed outside Terminal 4. Passengers will be directed to nearby escalators and elevators in the interim.

·            Terminal 5: As Delta Airlines continues its renovation of Terminal 5, passengers will encounter construction barricades and work-related noise on both the arrivals and departures levels. The West Ticketing Lobby reopened to the public on November 19. One men’s and one women’s restroom, located near the end of the concourse, will be closed.  Signage will direct the public to other nearby facilities. Work on the terminal is anticipated through 2015.

·            Terminal 6: Westfield’s redesign of the concessions in Terminal 6 is resulting in the closure of several concessions. Scaffolding partially restricts the concourse. Temporary dining and retail locations will open to serve passengers during construction. Construction on the new concessions program is expected through 2016. Passenger Boarding Bridge waiting area renovation is underway at Gate 63. US Airways also now operates in this terminal.

·            Terminal 7/8: Construction barricades along the connector corridor between Terminals 7 and 8 have reduced the corridor’s width by approximately 10 feet. Structural steel work to reinforce the columns is taking place being the barricades as part of the Terminal 7 Renovation Project.

Please note that all dates provided in this notice are subject to change.

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, Westwood, Santa Monica, and Hollywood. If picking up passengers, motorists are encouraged to park and wait inside their vehicles at the free LAX Cell Phone Waiting Lot at the intersection of 96th   Street and Vicksburg Avenue, next 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 62 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 $91.6 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.