Tower cranes dot the landscape of LAX, and work continues on a $14-billion renovation and expansion that ranks as the largest public works project in the history of the City of Los Angeles.

LAX people mover guideway under construction, with Theme Building in background
Kelvin Cheng

Ongoing or recently completed work within the central terminal area, as detailed in a news release by Los Angeles World Airports, includes:

  • a tie-in between Terminal 1 and Terminal 1.5, following the removal of a pedestrian bridge connecting to Parking Structure 1;
  • demolition of a pedestrian bridge linking Parking Structure 2A to Terminal 2 to accommodate the LAX Automated People Mover;
  • construction of a new bridge linking Terminal 1.5 and Terminal 2;
  • construction of a new domestic baggage claim at Tom Bradley International Terminal, as well as construction associated with the new Midfield Satellite Concourse; and
  • continued renovation of and upgrades to Terminals 4, 5, 6, and 7.

Construction at Terminal 2
Kelvin Cheng

Construction is also in full swing for LAX's $5.5-billion landside access modernization program, which encompasses the new people mover system as well as a consolidated rental car facility.

The people mover, an elevated monorail-like train, will have three stops in the central terminal area, offering connections to two off-site ground transportation hubs and the rental car facility.  Concrete pillars and false work are present throughout the meandering 2.25-mile route, which is scheduled to begin serving passengers in 2023.

As part of a separate project, the people mover will also connect with a $500-million transit hub planned by Metro at the intersection of Aviation Boulevard and Arbor Vitae Street.  The at-grade station will be served by Metro's C (Green) and Crenshaw/LAX Lines, in addition to various bus lines.

Rendering of the LAX Automated People Mover in the central terminal area
Los Angeles World Airports

A series of red tower cranes are also hard at work at the former Manchester Square community next to the 405 Freeway, which will eventually be home to the airport's consolidated rental car facility.  The 6.4-million-square-foot complex will have space for 18,000 vehicles, making it the largest parking structure in the world.  As with the people mover, it is scheduled for completion in 2023.

Even when the ongoing ground transportation projects and terminal renovations are complete, LAX may still have years of construction ahead of it.  Los Angeles World Airports is currently planning a more modest expansion which would extend Terminal 1 while also adding a new people mover stop and airport terminal on the east side of Sepulveda Boulevard.  Those projects would be completed by 2028 - in advance of the Summer Olympic Games scheduled for that year.

Click here to track progress at the various LAX modernization projects.

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