Completion Expected By 2013

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Los Angeles International Airport officials proudly announced plans on November 17 for the modernization and expansion of LAX. Attended by airline executives, elected officials and business leaders, a ceremony at LAX's Flight Path Learning Center presented architectural models illustrating designs for the upgrade.

"Today marks a milestone in our effort to modernize the hub of the region's air transportation system and restore it to the premier international gateway the airlines need and the City of Angels deserves," Villaraigosa said.

Architect Curt Fentress said, "We want to change LAX into LA wow." Fentress Associates, best known for design work on the Denver International Airport terminal and the Marine Corps museum in Quantico, VA, hoped to reflect the area's landscape in the lines of the building, Fentress said.

Planned improvements include major renovation of the Tom Bradley International Terminal, a cross-field taxiway, a midfield concourse and a new passenger processing facility. The updated Bradley Terminal will include the reconstruction of two concourses, new gates on the west side accommodating larger airliners, plus shops, restaurants and lounges.

Los Angeles Councilwoman Janice Hahn said, "We are one step closer to making LA the home of a world-class international airport. We haven't done anything at this airport since 1984," just before the city hosted the Summer Olympics.

Los Angeles World Airports director Gina Marie Lindsey said the airport will finance the modernization with higher landing fees, bonds, revenue from airport concessions and seed money from a portion of $850 million in bonds sold by LAWA earlier this year, the Los Angeles Times reported.

At a cost estimated between $5 billion and $6 billion, the projects are slated for completion by 2013.

FMI: www.lawa.org