LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TAXIWAY PROJECTS EARN AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE

North Airfield Exit Taxiways project team members from Los Angeles World Airports, Granite Construction Company, Royal Electric, HNTB, and KDG Construction Consulting celebrate receiving the "Southern California Project Achievement" award.

LOS ANGELES – Recently, the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) named the North Airfield Exit Taxiways (NAET) project at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) as the winner of its "Southern California Project Achievement" award in the Transportation category. The award recognized the NAET project for excellence in construction management, collaboration and innovation in improving airfield safety and operational efficiency at the airport.
 

This recognition is the latest in a series of four industry awards earned by two major taxiway projects completed at LAX: NAET and the Taxiway D Westerly Extension. Both projects, which are part of the Airfield & Terminal Modernization Project (ATMP), were delivered in 2024 ahead of schedule and under budget by a combined rate of 15 percent. Together, these projects represent Los Angeles World Airports' (LAWA) major capital commitment to invest in the safety and efficiency of LAX's north runway complex.

"The North Airfield Exit Taxiways and Taxiway D Westerly Extension projects are industry-leading examples of what's possible when you have great teams committed to airfield safety and efficiency while remaining conscientious of the guest experience from the curb to the runway," said Michael Christensen, Chief Airport Development Officer, LAWA. "We thank our contracting partners for their work and join them in celebration of these well-earned awards as we continue to build world-class airport facilities that let incredible experiences take flight."

Aerial photos with notations comparing the east end of LAX's north runways between November 2022 and June 2024, depicting the additions of Exit Taxiways U and S.

Built concurrently over approximately two years, the projects substantially enhance aircraft circulation by providing parallel aircraft taxiways along LAX's north runway complex and four new exit taxiways from Runway 24R/6L. Both projects required extensive planning and close coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), airline partners and airport stakeholders. The work was executed as part of extensive phasing requirements to mitigate operational impacts and reduce delays during the construction period.

In May, the NAET project was selected as a recipient of the International Partnering Institute's (IPI) "2025 Partnered Project of the Year" award. This award recognized NAET as exemplifying the principles of partnering –—collaboration, mutual respect, trust and a commitment to shared success — as well as LAWA's ongoing commitment to delivering world-class infrastructure through innovation and partnership. Granite Construction Company served as the project's general contractor and HNTB Corporation as the designer and engineer of record.

In April, the Taxiway D project was recognized with two "2024 SWCPA Outstanding Achievement in Concrete Paving" awards from the Southwest Concrete Pavement Association. LAWA and Sully-Miller Company, the project's general contractor, were recognized in the "Overcoming Challenges" and "Delivering Ahead of Schedule" categories. RS&H, Inc. served as the project's designer and engineer of record.

Aerial photos with notations comparing the western end of LAX's north runways between November 2022 and June 2024, depicting the extension of Taxiway D parallel to Taxiway E, as well as new Exit Taxiways W and V .

Both projects received a combined total of more than $99 million in FAA Airport Improvement Program grants, and both contractors exceeded their contractual Disadvantaged Business Entity (DBE) goals with more than $36 million of the construction cost going to DBE firms.