MARCH MODERNIZATION HIGHLIGHTS: Key Updates on Construction Projects at LAX and VNY

03/05/2022 08:00 AM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 5, 2022

CONTACT:
LAWA Public Relations
(424) 646-5260
Progress continues on Central Terminal Area projects including the headhouse for Terminals 2 and 3 (top left), and terminal vertical cores at the north end of Tom Bradley International Terminal (top right), between Terminals 4 and 5 (bottom left), and between Terminals 5 and 6 (bottom right).
MARCH MODERNIZATION HIGHLIGHTS
Key Updates on Construction Projects at LAX and VNY
(Los Angeles, CA) Each month, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) shares updates on current and upcoming construction projects at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Van Nuys Airport (VNY). This newsletter contains information about the status of projects at LAX and VNY, as well as construction impacts to the airport roadways and the surrounding communities.

In March, work continues on a number of projects related to the LAX Automated People Mover (APM), including construction of an elevated walkway from Terminal 1 to the future Center Central Terminal Area (CTA) APM Station, which will require several nights of full closures in the area between Terminals 1 and 2. Also, work continues on the guideway over Sepulveda Boulevard and other walkways that connect new terminal vertical cores to stations throughout the CTA

 

Construction is also taking place on the APM train guideway and stations elsewhere along the 2.25-mile route, as well as terminal modernization and other projects in the CTA.

 
Temporary pedestrian walkways are in place in the construction zones on the Upper/Departures Level, reducing drop-off lane availability. Portions of Center Way are closed for APM guideway and station construction, with other roadways/lanes restricted overnight.
 
In addition to the APM, work continues on other elements of the Landside Access Modernization Program (LAMP), including the Consolidated Rent-A-Car (ConRAC) facility, which has less than a half percent of structural concrete remaining to be poured. A link is available for webcams that allow the public to see the ongoing work by clicking here. Photo galleries are available here.
 
Installation of an electronic Smart Parking system throughout the CTA may reduce the number of available spaces in some structures. Guests can now reserve spaces in many of the garages in the CTA and at the new LAX Economy Parking structure by visiting parking.flyLAX.com. To see real-time parking availability, click here.
 
An interactive map that includes current construction projects can be found here. For more information about specific lane closures and construction projects, click on the hard hats on the map.

Operations of Terminal 4 continue in the western half of the headhouse while the eastern portion is prepared for demolition and construction of a new facility.

Terminal Construction/Modernization:

  • Terminal 1: A portion of the western end of the terminal on the Concourse Level is temporarily for the installation of a passenger walkway connecting the building to the APM's future Central CTA station.
  • Terminals 2 and 3: Work continues on a new headhouse, including ticket counters and baggage carousels, which will open this spring. The Terminal 2 baggage claim has temporarily moved to the former Federal Inspection Station (customs) area. Signs direct guests to the area, where three carousels are available. COVID-19 testing is available on the north end of Terminal 2 on the Lower/Arrivals Level (click here for more information). Construction is taking place on a replacement for Terminal 3.
  • Tom Bradley International Terminal: A portion of the new terminal vertical core has opened in the north end of the building, providing new escalators to reach three levels of the terminal as well as a route for arriving domestic passengers to access Baggage Claim 31 on the Lower/Arrivals Level. New elevators are expected to open in the core this month. The information desk located on the Upper/Departures Level is now located across from Aisle B. Tunnels have opened to allow access to the central entrances on both the Lower/Arrivals and Upper/Departures levels. The south entrances to the terminal are temporarily closed. The stairway on the south end of the terminal and escalators are temporarily closed as work shifts to that area of the terminal. A temporary walkway will open this month. The bike rack on the Lower/Arrivals Level at the south end of the terminal has been temporarily relocated to Parking Structure 4. COVID-19 tests are available in the south end of the terminal on the Lower/Arrivals Level (click here for more information).
  • Terminals 4 and 5: The modernization program continues. The eastern half of the Terminal 4 headhouse has closed in preparation for demolition and construction of a new facility. Baggage claim is now located in the former Customs area in the west end of the terminal. Several ticket counters have been relocated to the western portion of the ticketing lobby. A project to realign the gates in Terminal 5 also continues.
  • Terminal 6: One gate in the northwestern part of the building is closed for construction of the Terminal 5.5 vertical core. Several additional gates are closed for modernization.
Work continues to connect the APM guideway above Parking Structure 2b.

Updates on Other Projects:

  • Landside Access Modernization Program (LAMP): Work continues on the APM guideway over Parking Structure 2b and Sepulveda Boulevard. Both segments are being built using the same innovative cast-in-place segmental construction technique that allowed construction with minimal disturbance above Century Boulevard. Also placement of a fourth pedestrian bridge to a future APM station has begun at Terminal 1, which will be connected to the future Center CTA station. The APM train system’s Maintenance Service Vehicle (MSV) arrived at the Maintenance and Storage Facility at the end of February. The MSV will assist future maintenance and systems operations. Terrazzo floor installation is taking place at the ConRAC's Customer Service Buildings.

  • Receiving Station-X (RS-X): Work continues on the Receiving Station-X (RS-X) project at the northwestern corner of the airport property. RS-X will improve the reliability of electrical service at LAX, moving the airport off of a nearby receiving station that is shared with the neighboring community. Portions of Pershing Drive at and south of the intersection with Westchester Parkway will be restricted Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. until the end of April to facilitate installation of sanitary sewer and storm drain lines. Nighttime work is taking place to demolish existing duct bank (shoring installation, demolition and removal of concrete and soil) followed by construction of new duct bank (resetting conduit, pouring concrete, backfilling of the trench, and shoring removal). Daytime work includes interior of the control house, and ongoing site work includes landscape, new project entrance and on-site utilities.

Construction of the elevated walkway from Terminal 1 to the future APM's Central CTA station will reduce available lanes in March, and close the roadway overnight early in the month.

Roadway and Transit Impacts in the Central Terminal Area:

  • World Way: Overnight lane closures are possible on the Lower/Arrivals Level for construction activities. The airport return ramp from the Upper/Departures Level will be closed during limited overnight hours for work on the APM guideway. A detour will be available.
  • Terminal 1: Lanes will be reduced in March for work on an elevated pedestrian walkway to the APM's future Center CTA station.
  • Terminals 2 and 3: The right drop-off lane in the construction area on the Upper/Departures Level is closed for use as a temporary covered walkway. Lane closures take place overnight in the vicinity of the new elevated pedestrian walkway to the future Center CTA station. Lanes are also reduced in the area of the elevated walkway between Terminal 3 and the future West CTA station.
  • Tom Bradley International Terminal: Drop-off lanes on the Upper/Departures Level on the southern end of the terminal have closed for the construction of the terminal vertical core. Three through lanes are available in this area, but guests should be dropped off either at the north end of the terminal or past the construction zone. Terminal B pick-up, on the first level of Parking Structure 3 is also an option for dropping guests off.
  • Terminals 4 and 5: One of the two drop-off lanes on the Upper/Departures Level has been replaced by a temporary, covered walkway during construction of a terminal vertical core. The walkway is being extended westward to include the area in front of the closed portion of Terminal 4. Shuttle stop locations have temporarily changed due to construction at Terminal 4. Lane closures may be needed in the vicinity of the new pedestrian walkway to the future West CTA station.
  • Terminals 5 and 6: One of the two drop-off lanes on the Upper/Departures Level has been replaced by a temporary, covered walkway during construction of a terminal vertical core.
  • East Way: Overnight closures are possible on both levels for construction of the APM guideway. Northbound East Way is closed, except for access to the Bob Hope USO at LAX and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) tower.
  • Center Way: Center Way between West Way and Theme Way will be closed between 1 and 9 a.m. daily. Vehicle traffic will be directed to World Way to exit the Central Terminal Area. Vehicles exiting Parking Structure 2a will be routed to eastbound Center Way around the closure to exit the Central Terminal Area. Center Way from East Way to World Way will also be closed nightly from 1 to 9 a.m. During these closures, traffic exiting Parking Structure 1 will be routed to East Way to exit the Central Terminal Area via World Way South. These closures will support the construction of the APM guideway and stations.
  • Theme Way: Theme Way is closed between World Way and Center Way for APM construction through July.
  • West Way: Northbound West Way is temporarily closed between World Way South and World Way North on the Lower/Arrivals Level for work on the APM. Southbound traffic will use the northbound lanes in the area of the construction, with egress from Parking Structure 2b, the entrance to Parking Structure 5 and pedestrian traffic maintained. Overnight lane closures are possible on both levels for construction of the APM guideway.
Central Terminal Area roadways with full-time lane closures as of March 2, 2022.

Electric vehicle chargers are available on the roof of Parking Structure 5.

Sidewalk/Walkway/Parking Structure Restrictions and Closures:

  • Real-Time Parking Updates: Parking structures are quite busy, and can fill up. Guests are encouraged to plan ahead, with pre-booking highly recommended, as Smart Parking features begin to roll out in the Central Terminal Area. Check the latest information on parking availability by visiting the @FlyLAXstats Twitter feed. Guests can access maps with real-time information on parking availability by visiting https://www.flylax.com/en/parking-at-lax. Parking rates and a calculator to estimate costs can also be found on this webpage.
  • Parking Structure 1: An electronic Smart Parking system that includes the ability to pre-book spaces, intuitive wayfinding, electric vehicle chargers, valet parking and more is now in place. Approximately 20 spaces on each level are reserved for Low-Emission Fuel Efficient Vehicles. Traffic exiting the structure is directed west on Center Way to East Way and World Way South to exit the airport when work takes place at Center and Sky ways.
  • Parking Structures 2a/2b: Parking Structure 2a has reopened, however the roof remains closed for work on the APM's Center CTA station. A temporary exit is available from P2b onto West Way.
  • Tom Bradley International Terminal: New escalators have opened inside the north core of the terminal, replacing the outside escalators. The staircase and escalators on the south end of the building are closed as work has shifted south. The temporary pedestrian walkway also has been extended further south on the Upper/Departures Level.
  • Parking Structures 3 and 4: Work to install an electronic Smart Parking system may reduce available spaces this month. Terminal B Pickup on the Lower/Arrivals Level of P3 is available, with taxis allowed to use the western-most curb during a pilot.
  • Parking Structures 5 and 6: Work to install an electronic Smart Parking system will reduce available spaces this month. New electric vehicle (EV) chargers are available in both structures. Pedestrians are detoured around a column for a future elevated walkway east of P6. COVID-19 tests are available at the lab adjacent to P6. Click here for more information.
  • Parking Structure 7: Material removal and construction of pedestrian bridge foundations may reduce the number of spaces available on levels 2 and 3. A portion of the roof is closed for waterproofing ahead of the installation of a Smart Parking system.
  • Center Way: The sidewalk path between Terminal 7 and LAX-it is temporarily altered due to work on the APM at the corner of Center and Circle ways. The new pedestrian route is marked with detour signs.
  • World Way South: The sidewalk on the north side of the roadway past Terminal 7 is temporarily closed. A detour is available for pedestrians walking to Sepulveda Boulevard.
A temporary covered walkway is under construction at the east end of Terminal 4.

Impacts Near LAX: 

  • Airport Boulevard: The dedicated right turn lane from southbound Airport Boulevard to 96th Street is closed during work on the APM guideway. Motorists can still turn right onto 96th Street at the traffic signal. Roadway work at the intersection of Airport and 96th Street may limit the number of available lanes overnight. 
  • Arbor Vitae Street: For street widening improvements, a continuous single eastbound lane closure is needed between Aviation Boulevard and La Cienega Boulevard. To perform underground utility investigation a temporary single westbound lane closure will take place, during daytime hours Monday-Saturday, between Bellanca Avenue and La Cienega Boulevard.
  • Arbor Vitae Street/Aviation Boulevard: Day and night intermittent lane closures are possible Monday-Saturday at the intersection for the installation of the LADWP 12-inch water line for the future ConRAC facility. Intermittent lane closures are needed, during daytime hours Monday-Saturday, to perform underground utility investigations on the southeast & southwest corners of the intersection.
  • Aviation Boulevard: Nightly full closures are possible between Arbor Vitae Street and Century Boulevard for installation of steel at the future Intermodal Transportation Facility-East station. One lane is closed in each direction between Century Boulevard and Arbor Vitae Street to facilitate APM construction. One through lane will remain open in each direction during the day.
  • Aviation/Century boulevards: Work to restore the sidewalks at the intersection may occasionally close the right lane.
  • Century Boulevard: Daily lane closures during off-peak hours are possible to support construction in this area. SoCal Gas will close up to two westbound lanes between Avion Drive and Sepulveda Boulevard from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. weekdays, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays. Nightly lane closures (11 p.m. to 6 a.m) will take place near Avion Drive to support utility relocation operations.
  • Century/Sepulveda boulevards: Intermittent closures of the northbound and southbound ramps at Century and Sepulveda boulevards may be required during overnight hours to work on the APM guideway. Additionally, closures of the LAX access ramp from northbound Sepulveda Boulevard may be required to support APM guideway construction.
  • La Cienega Boulevard: In support of utility enabling and street widening improvements, a continuous single southbound lane closure is needed between Arbor Vitae Street and the 405 freeway off ramp. Additionally, northbound traffic will merge to a single lane between the 405 freeway off ramp and Arbor Vitae Street for the duration of the street widening improvements project.
  • 96th Street: Traffic is limited to one eastbound lane (local traffic only) between Airport Boulevard and Bellanca Avenue. Daytime construction activities will occur within this closure. Nightly full closures will be needed to support delivering materials to the elevated guideway to support construction.
  • 98th Street: Westbound lanes are closed between Vicksburg Avenue and Sepulveda Boulevard as the LADWP continues working on a project to install a new water main. Overnight lane closures are in effect near Avion Drive to enable utility work in the area.
  • Pershing Drive: Traffic will be limited to one northbound and one southbound lane from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays between Sandpiper Street and Waterview Street for work on the Receiving Station-X project.
  • Sepulveda Boulevard: Lane closures may take place during nighttime hours on northbound and southbound Sepulveda Boulevard to construct the APM guideway over the roadway. Single lane or two-lane directional closures of the roadway will only take place during overnight hours. One northbound and southbound through lane will always be available during the lane closures. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power's 48-inch water line project will require nightly lane restrictions between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. on Sepulveda Boulevard between Century Boulevard and 98th Street through March. Lanes may be reduced on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. for work on a SoCal Gas line project.
  • Streets surrounding LAX: Intermittent, short-term lane closures may take place as needed on streets in the LAX area. Streets include Century Boulevard, 96th and 98th Streets, Airport Boulevard, Westchester Parkway/Arbor Vitae Street, and Aviation Boulevard. At least one through lane of traffic will be maintained at all times and access to businesses will be maintained.
  • World Way West: Lanes are reduced east of Administration Road during daytime utility installation work for a Secured Area Access Post project. Lanes are reduced between Pershing Drive and Maintenance Road for vault and duct bank installation for the Receiving Station-X project, and motorists are reminded to observe the 30-mph speed limit to help protect workers.

Please note that all dates provided in this notice are subject to change. Up-to-date construction alerts showing roadway lane restrictions and sidewalk closures in the terminal loop, as well as a pedestrian walking map and helpful airline terminal finder, can be found at www.flyLAX.comLAX also partners with Waze, the world’s largest community-based traffic reporting app, to provide enhanced information on conditions inside the airport and on nearby roadways. 

Crews worked on a test strip on Runway 16L at Van Nuys Airport in February.

Update from Van Nuys Airport (VNY):

  • Runway 16L and 16R Improvements: VNY has broken ground on a $13.1 million improvement project to reconstruct Runway 16L and rehabilitate Runway 16R. The eight-month project will deliver important safety enhancements and extend the lifespan of airfield facilities that contribute to VNY’s world-class status. The work will involve reconstructing the 4,000-foot length of Runway 16L and include enhancements to the taxiway, runway lighting, airfield signage and surface markings, and adding jet blast pads. Enhancements to Runway 16R will include resurfacing the asphalt and associated connector taxiways to extend the life of the pavement, refreshing runway and connector taxiway markings, and upgrading the lighting to LED fixtures. The project will be managed by LAWA’s Development Group with HNTB Corp. serving as engineer-of-record and Sully-Miller Contracting Co. as general contractor Project completion is scheduled for the end of November 2022.

     

About Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA)
Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) is the City of Los Angeles department that owns and operates Los Angeles International (LAX) and Van Nuys (VNY) general aviation airports, as well as aviation-related property in Palmdale. Both play an integral role in helping to meet the Southern California regional demand for passenger, cargo and general aviation service. Both airports make a distinct contribution to the strength of the system as it provides a high level of safety, security and service for its customers, communities and stakeholders. More information can be found at flylax.com.

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.

 

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