Work on the $14 billion modernization of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) continues in advance of a construction moratorium that starts Dec. 20 and stretches until Jan. 4. As the end of 2017 approaches, significant work has taken place to upgrade Terminals 1 and 7/8, with all public facing construction expected to be completed within the next year. Work has also begun on a new Terminal 1.5 and the transformations of Terminals 2 and 3, and a number of other projects are underway. Guests should plan ahead to navigate sidewalk and vehicle lane closures and in-terminal work. .
Roadway Impacts in and near the CTA
- The main construction area at Terminal 1 is located near the center of the building.The barricades have been moved from the Upper/Departure Level drop-off lane in front of the eastern portion of Terminal 1 in time for the busy holiday season. Work in those lanes will resume in mid-January 2018. During busy travel times, such as early morning and midday, passenger drop-off can cause traffic backups on the roads leading into the CTA, affecting access to all other terminals. To avoid traffic congestion at LAX from early morning to 2 p.m., motorists are asked to use the Lower/Arrivals Level to access the parking structures or drop off passengers, who can then take elevators, escalators, or stairs up to the Upper/Departures Level.
- Occasional and intermittent lane closures are possible overnight throughout the Central Terminal Area for the painting of pavement markings including crosswalks.
- New trailers are being installed in the former Vendor Lot 6, which may require overnight changes to the traffic pattern on Center Way.
- Caltrans work on Dec. 7-8 will close the ramp from the northbound 405 Freeway to the westbound 105 Freeway from 10 p.m. each night until 4 a.m. the following morning (Dec. 8-9). Motorists may use westbound Imperial Highway as an alternate.
Terminal Construction/Renovation
- Terminal 1: Phase 3 of Southwest Airlines’ $515-million Terminal 1 Renovation Project is taking place in the central part of the terminal. New restrooms have opened up on the concourse, just past the Security Screening Check Point, between Gates 9 and 10. With the onset of construction of Terminal 1.5, the Skycap area has been relocated to the front of Terminal 1. The passenger tunnel that bypasses construction between the ticketing lobby and expanded checkpoint in the eastern portion of the building will be shifted to allow work on the new terrazzo floor. The restrooms on the ticketing level have been temporarily replaced by all-gender restrooms on the west side of the lobby. Passengers may also use restrooms located on the Lower/Arrivals Level or in the terminal past the Security Screening Check Point. The elevator closest to the ticketing counters has reopened, with the elevator closest to the Security Screening Check Point scheduled to close for renovation. The food court in the south end of the terminal has closed, with guests directed to establishments further north in Terminal 1. Einstein Bros. has opened a temporary location near Gate 12. Westfield is phasing in new concessions through 2018. On the way to the baggage claim area, arriving passengers will be directed to the right when they reach the bottom of the escalators. Renovation work in the area of the escalators will take place overnight, with arriving passengers directed to the escalators in the Security Screening Check Point after 11 p.m. nightly. Gate 16 has reopened, with a new newsstand nearby. Gate 10 has permanently closed in preparation for construction of Terminal 1.5. Gates 12A and 14 are temporarily closed for renovations. The pedestrian bridge connecting Parking Structure 1 and the terminal is closed, with signs placed to direct passengers.
- Terminal 2: Xiamen Airlines flights arrive at Terminal 2, but check-in and departures take place at the Tom Bradley International Terminal (Terminal B/TBIT). Delta Air Lines offers bus service to Terminal 3 and Terminal B/TBIT from Gate 21. Seat cushion replacement will take place overnight.
- Baggage Claim 6 has reopened in Terminal 3, with Baggage Claim 5 the next to be replaced this month.
- Terminal 3: Delta Air Lines operates shuttle buses from Gate 35, connecting Terminals 2 and B/TBIT. Passengers on Avianca, InterJet, and Copa Airlines check in at counters on the west side of Terminal 3 and walk next door to Terminal B/TBIT for their flights. The Parlor, a gastropub/sports bar, has opened in the satellite area that includes Gates 35-38. Additional retail and dining destinations will be added by year’s end. A new Baggage Carousel 6 has opened, with work starting on Baggage Carousel 5 this month. Seat cushion replacement will take place overnight.
- Tom Bradley International Terminal (B/TBIT): Renumbered Gates 137, 139, and 141 are open on the north end of B/TBIT. Gate 131 is closed for construction of improvements to the baggage handling facility, and Gate 132 is closed for work related to the Midfield Satellite Concourse. Passengers using Terminals 4-8 are able to access shops and restaurants in Terminal B/TBIT without having to clear security a second time by using the Terminal 4 Connector. Five new Automated Screening Lanes are open in the Security Screening Check Point, with an additional two expected to open later this month. The lanes are expected to process approximately 30 percent more passengers per hour than the standard equipment they replace.
- Terminal 4: Food & Bounty has opened in the food truck in the south end of the terminal. The Admirals Club has reopened while work continues on a new Flagship Lounge. Flagship check-in is available in Terminal 4. America Airlines is also upgrading terminal signage.
- Terminal 5: The bus to the American Eagle terminal leaves from Gate 52.The newly renovated Admirals Club has opened on the mezzanine level. Work will take place overnight to replace carpeting in American Airlines’ gate areas.
- Terminal 6: Ethiopian Airlines arrivals and departures now take place at Terminal 6, joining Alaska Airlines, Virgin America, Air Canada and Boutique Air.
- Terminals 7/8: United Airlines is continuing its $573-million Terminal 7/8 Renovation Project scheduled for completion this upcoming spring. The eastern portion of the Security Screening Check Point has opened, adding more of the Automated Screening Lanes that allow up to five passengers to fill their bins at the same time. A portion of the sidewalk on the Lower/Arrivals Level is closed. Skycaps will be moving to new podiums over the next two months. Gate 83 is closed for renovations. Improvements are also underway in the seating area at Gate 72. New men’s restrooms have opened between Gates 72 and 74 and the women’s restroom between Gates 75A and 75B has reopened as well. Water-bottle fillers are now available across from Gate 75A as well as adjacent to the women’s restroom at the north end of the concourse. The restrooms near Gate 84 are closed for renovation. With work completed on the new Baggage Carousel 2, the terminal has four carousels available. United’s new baggage service area is also open.
Sidewalk/Walkway/Parking Structure Restrictions and Closures
- K-rail barriers have been added in several areas on the Lower/Arrival and Upper/Departure levels as part of a pedestrian safety project. They will be replaced with bollards in early 2018.
- Construction on Terminal 1.5 will narrow the sidewalk between Terminals 1 and 2 on the Lower/Arrivals Level.
- The entrance to Lot C from Westchester Parkway has closed, along with portions of the parking lot. About 2,200 spaces will remain in Lot C, which can be accessed from 96th Street. Motorists may wish to consider other parking options or use public transportation during busy periods.
