Work could soon begin on a new people mover system at LAX that promises to relieve some of the stress of pickups and drop-offs at the notoriously congested airport.
A new video released Thursday by the airport predicts that construction on the project will begin this year, keeping it on track to open in 2023.
The Los Angeles World Airports Board of Airport Commissioners on Thursday selected a team of companies called LAX Integrated Express Solutions to build and operate the project over the next 30 years, at a cost around $4.5 billion.
A $42 million early works agreement with the group will allow pre-construction activity to start on the project as soon as possible, according to a statement from LAWA.
The video shows off the design of the shuttle, which will transport passengers between terminals, rental car centers, and the under-construction Crenshaw/LAX Line. Traveling along an elevated track, trains will arrive every two minutes and rides from the 96th Street Metro Station are expected to take under 10 minutes start-to-finish.
The video makes clear that the project will be finished in time for the 2028 Olympic Games. A host of upgrades to LAX were a selling point of LA’s successful bid for the games.
Aside from the people mover, plans are in the works for a series of terminal expansions—expected to wrap up between 2021 and 2023. A separate project will add a new 12-gate concourse to the Tom Bradley International Terminal. It’s expected to be complete by 2019.
Comments
Those trams already look 30 years old. I really hope that’s not the final design.
By John.Connor on 02.16.18 6:18pm
At least in the video, there doesn’t appear to be any new connection to the Theme Building. It’s featured in almost every shot, yet it seems like it’s being relegated to sculpture status. I really wish they could find a solution to integrate it into the new LAX.
By Cleavon Little on 02.16.18 7:46pm
Oh is this the answer to the Metro not going all the way to the airport? So i have to get off the metro and get on another train to reach the airport.. Another big expense…
By beachwooddude on 02.16.18 7:48pm
Oh, waaah waaah. Some folks are never happy. Look, people movers like this are commonplace. They work. They’re good. Sure, it would be awesome to have a setup like at Heathrow or O’Hare, where a metro line goes straight to LAX terminals… but the people mover is not just designed to serve public transport passengers, but everybody going to/from rental car lots, longterm parking, and rideshare pickup. Which will be a TON of people. You think MTA would build stops at those places? Nope. Since LAWA is paying for this, it’s in their best interest to have stops at the lots.
By mtkscat on 02.16.18 11:14pm
This is designed for multiple "little stops" around the airport terminals and rental car facilities. It wouldn’t be sensible to have a subway stop many times in a loop like that.
By surfnspy on 02.17.18 10:53am