SPI Insights

California – Los Angeles World Airports released a draft environmental impact report for the Airfield and Terminal Modernization Project at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) that includes additional gates, a people mover, and roadway improvements.

The project will replace inefficient and outdated remote gates with new, state-of-the-art facilities, reduce congestion around LAX with new roadways, and enhance safety through new taxiway improvements without moving any runways.

Terminal improvements would include the development of 12 new gates at Terminal 9, addition of nine gates at a new Concourse 0, and replacement of west remote gates to offer full-service international capabilities.

To increase operational efficiency, reduce delays, and increase safety, LAX will improve runway exit configurations to enhance pilot visibility, extend Taxiway D to the west, and upgrade taxiways C and D to access the new concourse and terminal facilities.

Landside improvements would feature work on the Central Terminal Area to create direct access for Terminal 9, reduce congestion on public roads and neighborhood streets, add a new automated people mover at Terminal 9, and a pedestrian corridor over Sepulveda Boulevard between terminals 8 and 9.

Development of North Airfield improvements would begin in late 2021 with the start of enabling projects for the Taxiway D extension. That work would finish in mid-2026.

Concourse 0 development would commence in late 2022 and conclude in late 2026, and Terminal 9 work would begin in late 2023 and finish in late 2027. The airport’s goal is to complete construction by 2028 when Los Angeles is scheduled to host the Summer Olympics and Paralympics.