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

05/03/2022 08:00 AM

 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 3, 2022

CONTACT:
LAWA Public Relations
(424) 646-5260
MAY MODERNIZATION HIGHLIGHTS
Key Updates on Construction Projects at LAX and VNY
Progress continues on Central Terminal Area projects including the west headhouse for Terminal 3 (top left), and Terminal Vertical Cores at the south end of Tom Bradley International Terminal (top right), between Terminals 4 and 5 (bottom left), and between Terminals 5 and 6 (bottom right).
 
(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 May, work to overhaul Terminal 4 will continuing ramping up as the eastern half of the headhouse is demolished and gates in the southern end of the satellite are closed to make way for its extension, all part of a $1.62-billion modernization project. Meanwhile, the first three gates of the new Terminal 3 concourse are scheduled to open by the end of the month, part of a $2.3 billion modernization project. A new headhouse, which includes ticketing lobbies and baggage claim areas for Terminals 2-3, a consolidated Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint and a Delta Sky Club, opened April 20.

 

Work continues in May on a number of projects related to the LAX Automated People Mover (APM), including construction of several elevated bridges that will connect terminals to future stations. A temporary support for the newest bridge will reduce lanes near Terminals 5 and 6 through mid-May, and overnight work is taking place throughout the Central Terminal Area (CTA).

 

Construction also is 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 and associated street improvements and access roads. 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, along with construction impacts, may reduce the number of available spaces in some structures, and the garages are filling up during peak travel periods. Guests are encouraged to reserve spaces in the CTA and at the new LAX Economy Parking facility 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.

A new website on LAX Capital Improvement Program projects is now online. Click here to learn more about recently completed, current and future projects that are transforming LAX.
 
A new ticketing lobby is one of the features of the Terminals 2 and 3 headhouse that opened in April.

Terminal Construction/Modernization:

  • Terminal 1: A portion of the western end of the terminal on the Concourse Level is temporarily closed for the installation of a pedestrian bridge connecting the building to the APM's future Center CTA station.
  • Terminals 2 and 3: A new headhouse, including ticket counters and baggage carousels, a consolidated checkpoint and a Delta Sky Club, is now open. WestJet ticketing remains in the old Terminal 2 headhouse. The first three gates in the Terminal 3 concourse are scheduled to open near the end of May, with the remainder of the new concourse opening later this year.
  • Tom Bradley International Terminal: A portion of the new Terminal Vertical Core is open 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. Tunnels allow access to the central entrances on both the Lower/Arrivals and Upper/Departures levels. The south entrances to the terminal, the stairway on the south end of the building and escalators are temporarily closed. 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: Demolition has begun on the eastern half of the Terminal 4 headhouse. 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. Six gates in the south end of Terminal 4 are temporarily closed for extension of the concourse. The pedestrian bridge from P5 to Terminal 5 is temporarily closed.
  • 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.
Construction continues on the canopy at the future Center CTA APM station

Updates on Other Projects:

  • Automated People Mover (APM): Work continues on station and pedestrian bridge construction. Crews have begun the installation of structural steel for the station canopy at the Center CTA station.

  • Receiving Station-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. until late May to facilitate installation of sanitary sewer and storm drain lines. 

One of the four through lanes on the Lower/Arrivals Level near Terminal 6 is temporarily closed for installation of an elevated pedestrian bridge to a future APM station.

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: Overnight lane closures are possible in the area of the construction of an elevated pedestrian bridge to the APM's future Center CTA station.
  • Terminals 2 and 3: With the opening of a new headhouse, drop-off lanes have been restored on the Upper/Departures Level, although they remain closed east and west of the new facility. Lane closures take place overnight in the vicinity of the new elevated pedestrian bridge 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 are temporarily 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 stretching east from the midpoint of Terminal 4 past the new Terminal Vertical Core. Shuttle stop locations have temporarily changed due to construction at Terminal 4. Lane closures may be needed in the vicinity of the new pedestrian bridge 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. Overnight lane closures may be required in the vicinity to support the construction of a pedestrian bridge between Terminal 5 and the future Center CTA station.
  • 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 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 May 2, 2022.

During demolition and reconstruction of the eastern half of the Terminal 4 headhouse, one of the two drop-off lanes on the Upper/Departures Level is replaced with a temporary, covered walkway.

Sidewalk/Walkway/Parking Structure Restrictions and Closures:

  • Real-Time Parking Updates: Parking structures are quite busy and have been reaching capacity. 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: Premium and valet parking are available on the ground floor as part of the Smart Parking system that includes the ability to pre-book spaces, intuitive wayfinding, electric vehicle (EV) chargers and more. 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 is open, 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: Escalators are available 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: Some parking levels may be closed during work to install a Smart Parking system. 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: The roof of P5 is temporarily closed. New 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.
One lane of westbound World Way West is closed during work associated with the RS-X project.

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. 
  • Arbor Vitae Street: For street widening improvements, a continuous single eastbound lane closure is needed between Aviation Boulevard and La Cienega Boulevard. Temporary closures of eastbound traffic lanes may occur between Airport Boulevard and Bellanca Avenue.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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 northbound Sepulveda Boulevard and eastbound Century Boulevard access ramps from LAX may be required to support roadway activities.
  • 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.
  • Lincoln Boulevard: Installation of a traffic signal for the Airport Police Facility may temporarily close lanes near 94th Street, north of Westchester Parkway.
  • 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 Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (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 may 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 RS-X project.
  • Sepulveda Boulevard: Lane closures may take place during nighttime hours on northbound and southbound Sepulveda Boulevard to support finishing operations on 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.
  • 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: One westbound lane is closed 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. 

Electrical trench work is taking place as part of the improvement work at Runway 16L.

Update from Van Nuys Airport (VNY):

  • Runway 16L and 16R Improvements: Work continues on VNY's $13.1 million, eight-month project to reconstruct Runway 16L. The project will deliver important safety enhancements and extended lifetime to the airfield facilities that contribute to VNY’s world-class status. Contractors continue work on work area 2, which is scheduled to be completed by Aug. 1. In April, construction crews continued to install counterpoise wiring, PVC concrete-encased ducts in ground and also placed and compacted a “P-208” base material throughout the runway and shoulder areas of the site. Quality control inspections and certification of the “P-208” base is scheduled for the upcoming weeks. Improvements will ultimately be phased to maximize federal grant reimbursements and minimize operational impacts to daily operations during construction.

     

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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