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LOS ANGELES | LAX Modernization Plan
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Unveils Modernization Plan for LAX
The plan, which could cost $5 billion to $6 billion, focuses on rebuilding the Tom Bradley International Terminal. By Dan Weikel November 18, 2008 For the third time in less than a decade, a Los Angeles mayor and airport leaders on Monday unveiled a grand architectural plan for the expansion and modernization of Los Angeles International Airport, which has not been significantly remodeled since 1984. City officials say the projects, which include a major face-lift for the Tom Bradley International Terminal, are needed to enhance the travel experience for passengers and preserve one of the region's main economic engines. "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," Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said. The plan's architectural models and renderings were unveiled during a ceremony at the airport's Flight Path Learning Center attended by airline executives, elected officials and business leaders. The conceptual plans were designed by Fentress Associates, a Denver-based architectural firm perhaps best known in this country for its work on the national museum of the U.S. Marine Corps in Quantico, Va., and Denver International Airport, which has a peaked roof that evokes the image of the Rocky Mountains. Using the region's natural landscape as inspiration, Curt Fentress said, the concepts for LAX capture the city's sense of place. The sloping roof lines of the glass-and-steel terminals, for example, are evocative of breaking waves at the beach. "We want to change LAX into L.A. wow," Fentress said. Highlighted on Monday were conceptual plans for the Bradley terminal, a cross-field taxiway, a midfield concourse for domestic and international flights and a passenger processing facility immediately across from the Bradley. According to the dramatic renderings, the Bradley and midfield concourse will be linked by a soaring sky bridge over the cross-field taxiway, giving passengers panoramic views of the ocean, mountains and city skyline. Airport officials say they expect to finish the projects by 2013 at a cost of $5 billion to $6 billion, though that could go substantially higher. The centerpiece of the modernization and its priority is the overhaul of the Bradley, including the reconstruction of two concourses, new gates on the west to accommodate large commercial aircraft (such as the Airbus A-380) and a central hall offering shopping, restaurants and lounges. Gina Marie Lindsey, director of Los Angeles World Airports, estimated that the taxiway and Bradley improvements will cost roughly $2 billion, though she acknowledged they could go higher depending on the final design. Some estimates have been as high as $4 billion. Lindsey said the gates on the north side of the Bradley terminal should be finished by January 2012, while those on the south side should be completed by September of that year. "We are one step closer to making L.A. the home of a world-class international airport," said Los Angeles Councilwoman Janice Hahn. "We haven't done anything at this airport since 1984." The modernization plan does face substantial hurdles, including declining passenger volumes. Airlines, which have been dramatically cutting service, are increasingly concerned about airports' raising their fees to help finance improvements. The nation's credit crisis also has made it difficult for major airports to pay for new terminals and runways. In the most recent example, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has been unable to sell $600 million in municipal bonds for a new terminal. At LAX, the number of passengers is projected to fall below 55 million next year, down at least 13 million since 2000. 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. She said she was confident LAWA can afford the projects. But Frank Clark, executive director of LAXTEC, an organization that represents international airlines at LAX, said the projects need to be cost-effective and that LAWA must settle its protracted dispute with the airlines over rental rates. "It's a good vision. You just can't have a substandard experience as a passenger," Clark said of the conceptual plans. "But we remain concerned about costs." Assuming the Bradley improvements run $2 billion, the cost for each of the 12 new gates is about $167 million, high for gate construction today, according to consultants. The last major remodeling of LAX occurred just before L.A. hosted the 1984 Summer Olympics. The Bradley terminal was built along with an elevated roadway to serve departing passengers. Over the years, passengers have given low ratings to the facility in consumer surveys. The first major renovation and modernization plan was proposed during Mayor Richard Riordan's administration. Plans revealed in 2000 called for accommodating up to 100 million passengers a year. Four years later, Mayor James K. Hahn unveiled an $11-billion plan that included a ground transportation center outside the airport boundaries and a tram system to get travelers to and from the airport. Lawsuits and opposition from elected officials and community activists stalled both plans. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3177/...3e8a9a70_b.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3284/...fd6c8b9e_o.png http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3513/...c5238a10_o.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3187/...4634ba12_o.png http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3306/...95b9e6be_o.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3173/...7ba00b0d_o.png http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3042/...7b23d05a_b.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3017/...327967d7_o.png http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3044/...c35c7bea_b.jpg |
They can do all they want to the terminals, but from my experience, it'll always be the LA-area airport of last resort until they can do something about the surrounding traffic and communities.
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Is there any plan to make a metro connection to the airport?
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Yes, now that R has passed, LAX will get its transit connection.
Its about time LAX takes on its role as a great gateway to the Pacific airport. I would love to see this vision happen. I went to Mexico in May out of the Bradley terminal and gazed on all that empty land and wondered why it wasn't put into use. Great idea, as long as the customs facility is doubled inside. But hell, yes, I want LAX to be able to at least come close to the great airports opening in Asia like HKG, KUL, BKK and all the others. We welcome our visitors with a subterranean shithole. |
Yes, please!
I'm salivating at the thought of THAT being our airport. |
ya, it looks very interesting! i hope to God they stick to 2013 for the completion date.
In regards to transit connections, there will be a people mover that will connect to the Green Line which will extend to LAX, as well as these possibilities in the near future. 1) Dedicated ROW to LAX from Union Station 2) Crenshaw Corridor LRT connection 3) Maglev High Speed Connection to Ontario Airport 3 isnt likely, but 1 and 2 are very likely and the Green Line extension will happen, so that will be 3 direct rail lines to LAX. |
I hope this happens...
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LA's sense of place? yeah, right. literal interpretation of breaking waves? lame. too bad we can't get someone more interesting like richard rogers or calatrava. but the "sky-bridge" is a good idea, and it sort of echos the theme building, and it ain't gehry or another LA starchitect, thank god. it's an improvement, and it ain't bad looking, and that's the standard we live by. i'll take it.
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Oh my god.
I'm just now seeing this, so damn amazing. Finally some rail is going to the airport, and the redesign looks AMAZING!@ :notacrook: |
Anyone here use the TB international arrival/customs/port of entry within the last year? It was always a clusterf*ck, but the last time I went thru (in December) there was major reconstruction. How has this turned out?
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B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L!!!!
Its about time; we've been waiting too long for this bullshit to happen... |
BTW, in Picture 1, is that the Green Line and the new stations surrounding the terminals?
We are going to need these kinds of large scale improvements, especially when countries like China and India pour tens of millions of tourists into the United States each year. |
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LAX Modernization Unveiled
The plan includes 32 new gates that could accommodate newer, super-wide jetliners. By Art Marroquin, Staff Writer November 17, 2008 City officials on Monday unveiled a modernization plan for Los Angeles International Airport that would cost an estimated $5 billion to $7 billion and pay homage to the Pacific Ocean. Plans call for a dramatic remodeling of the Tom Bradley International Terminal and a new Midfield Satellite Concourse, resulting in the addition of 32 new airline gates capable of accommodating newer, wide-bodied jetliners. "Today marks a major milestone in our effort to modernize this hub of the region's transportation system and to restore its status as an international gateway during a challenging era of aviation," Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said during a news conference at LAX. "It's an eye-opening vision," he said. "It's truly a vision to behold, representing the best of Los Angeles." The first phase, set for completion in mid-2013, calls for remodeling the Bradley terminal and building six new aircraft gates capable of handling super-jumbo jets, such as the Airbus A380 and the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. By 2012, LAX is expected to serve more A380 flights than any other airport in North America. Plans also call for building a new passenger processing center, several taxiways and a people mover tram that winds its way around the entire airport. While a timeline remains unclear, construction of the proposed Midfield Satellite Concourse would begin sometime after the Bradley project, according to airport officials. "We are finally one step closer to realizing our dream of making Los Angeles, once again, the home of a world-class international airport, an airport that not only meets the needs of the airlines, but exceeds the expectations of air travelers," said Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn, who chairs the council committee that oversees LAX. The proposed exterior design celebrates the airport's proximity to the beach. Curved stainless steel panels give the appearance of waves lapping at the terminal's rooftop. Large windows and skylights allow natural sunlight to pour into the passenger walkways. Tall, white parabolic arches - similar to those of the iconic Theme Building - are incorporated into a two-level bridge connecting the Bradley terminal to the new midfield terminal. Travelers can opt to ride a train on the bridge's lower level, or stroll along an automated pedestrian walkway on the upper level. Viewing lounges at each end of the bridge provide views of downtown, the Santa Monica Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. The modernistic, beach- themed concept was based on comments gathered during a series of community meetings, according to Denver-based architect Curtis Fentress, who was awarded a $41.5 million, three-year design contract earlier this year. "One of the things people really wanted was a modern building, they wanted an experience for the passenger that would be dramatic and exciting, something that people would go home and tell their friends about," Fentress said. "They wanted it to be emblematic of L.A." The city of Los Angeles has spent more than $250 million over the past 15 years developing airport modernization plans backed by Villaraigosa and two of his predecessors. Construction of the Bradley terminal and the second-level roadway were the last major changes made at LAX, completed just before the 1984 Summer Olympics were held in Los Angeles. Airport and city officials said they remain optimistic about completing the Bradley terminal renovations within a tight, self-imposed five-year deadline. The national recession has forced other airports across the country to scale back, postpone or completely scrub similar capital improvement projects. The project also comes as fewer travelers are passing through LAX. The airport served nearly 68 million passengers at its peak in 2000, but is projected to handle about 59 million by the end of this year - the lowest level in 12 years. If the airport isn't quickly modernized, then international carriers might move flights to other airports, resulting in more passenger losses and a potential hit to the regional economy, said Samuel Garrison, vice president of public policy for the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. "This is absolutely vital to ensuring Los Angeles' position as a world-class destination and a global economic leader," Garrison said. "We don't really have any options if we want to keep flights and money coming in, so making sure this is done the right way is going to be a win for the entire region." |
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No, that's the people-mover system that would connect to the Green Line further east. It seems like Metro should try to get the Harbor Subdivision done before the LAX Green Line Extension since it would be direct, quick service to downtown. Going from Union Station using Metro rail, you'd first have to use the Red Line, then the Blue line, and then the Green Line, all which would take a very long time. The Harbor Subdivision would allow for a direct connection from Union Station to LAX that would not only take about half the time to ride, but to build since the tracks and righ-of-way are already there. It just makes more sense than the Green Line. |
Anything is better than the current embarrassment. Im wildly happy.
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Very nice, it will secure LAX's international importance and pull it into the 21st century. Awesome.
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EXTREMELY cool plan!!! Can't wait to see it when it's complete!
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That concourse-connection bridge looks retarded: other than that, I'm envious. It screams "LA"!
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^agreed about the bridge. way out of scale.
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I added more photos to post #5.
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The bridge needs to be worked on. Though I'm sure that this will be modified a bit but overall I like it.
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The obtrusive bridges ruin this beautiful design. Why can't these new terminals be connected with underground people movers?
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and/or cost?
the more i look at this proposal the more those bridges seem to be out of proportion and lacking of subtlety |
I think that the bridges create a strong lasting impression. If they're able to further the design elements of the theme building in any way at LAX, I'm all for it.
Overall though, I must say that I'm pleasantly surprised by those renderings. I'm used to shrugging my shoulders and saying, "well, at least it's infill," for most LA projects (Park Fifth, Nokia Theater, Madame Tussaud's). But this one is simply awesome! It's nice having that feeling once again. If the LAX expansion can even come close to those images, at least part of our airport will have aesthetics that can compete with a Schipol or Suvarnabhumi. |
When is this thing supposed to start construction again?
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OK, the model shows the international terminal being rebuilt... What about the domestic terminals?
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Bridge has to be big, the tail of the A380 has to fit under it. It has to be two levels because of circulation of arriving passengers (to customs) and departing passengers. I don't know how you build it "smaller." The design should be altered to make it more light in appearance, IMO.
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Good luck getting this completed by 2013 (not a chance), but the plans look good. LAX isn't such a pleasure right now (though nothing is as bad as O'Hare).
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Something like this would look better than the current arch design, I think.
http://www.superbrasilia.com/misc/ponte_jk_dusk.jpg http://www.geocities.com/thetropics/3416/ponte1.jpg |
^Well yeah, but this is essentially a public works project. So while it would be lovely to get a Calatrava or Rogers or Foster, Fentress isn't a terrible alternative.
I agree the bridge needs a little work (I like the Theme Building-esque concept), and I actually quite like the concourse roofs. The middle building? Meh...sometimes a theme can get a little overcooked. There will be lots of value engineering with this (hopefully they don't VE the bridge in favor of some stupid Dulles type transfer system), but if LAX gets something that nearly looks like this concept, I'm alright with that. And Stratosphere...underground (while ideal) is WAY too expensive..the shoring alone (due to the relative elevation to the ocean) is probably more expensive than a bridge. |
that's hot.
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I wish they would do something about the exterior of the current TBIT. It looks like a prison.
Regarding the rail connection, does anybody know if the Green Line is to be extended to Aviation/Century (where it would meet up with the people mover) or to the airport itself? I prefer the latter. Overall, I'm pretty content with what I see. I yearn for the day when we can greet passengers in an airport like this and transport them to a vibrant and revitalized DTLA via the LAX Express. |
I like it, and think the bridge is just fine the way it is.
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The bridge will allow for some fantastic pictures
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LAX Chief Says Bring Trains to Airport
By Art Marroquin, Staff Writer January 16, 2009 The head of Los Angeles International Airport said she supports efforts to extend the Metro Green Line but remained frustrated that the train won't directly connect with airline terminals. "The plans for bringing it into the airport sound better than they are because they don't actually bring the Green Line into the central terminal area," Gina Marie Lindsey, executive director of LAX, said Thursday during a luncheon hosted by the Los Angeles Current Affairs Forum. For now, the Green Line ends about two miles from LAX, forcing commuters to take a brief bus ride to the airport. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority's plan calls for extending the Green Line to nearby Manchester Square. From there, travelers would board a people mover to gain access to the airport terminals. "That's fine, because it certainly gets you a lot closer to the airport, and that's a good thing, but you still need to get off the Green Line and onto some other conveyance to get into the central terminal area," she said. "We're in support of it, but let's understand it's not as perfect as if we did this from scratch." MTA spokesman Rick Jager did not return repeated phone calls seeking comment about Lindsey's statements. The Green Line opened in 1995 at a cost of $700 million, running 20 miles from Norwalk to Redondo Beach, but bypassing LAX by about two miles. Initial plans called for extending the Green Line to LAX as soon as 2015, but a revised report from the MTA notes that the project won't be completed until sometime from 2018 to 2022 at an estimated cost of $400 million. LAX officials said the airport's current layout would make it difficult to extend the Green Line directly into the central terminal area. Lindsey lamented that her predecessors should have had the foresight to allow for better access to public transportation. Most large cities have rail lines that directly connect to their airports. "As a general rule, I think mass transit as a connection to major airports is an absolute must," she said. "If you were building an airport today, you would want a rail line to make it efficient." |
^the green line isn't exactly an "efficient" way to get to LAX, even with a direct connection to terminals. i know we'll take what we can get, but it's still a shitty option. good for one of green line's original premises though - airport workers
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LAX Board OKs Review of Taxiway Plan
From staff and news services February 10, 2009 The Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners approved an environmental review Monday for the crossfield taxiway project at LAX, clearing the way for the first major step in its modernization program. The airport plans to spend about $150 million on a large new taxiway that can more easily accommodate the Airbus A380, which began service in October. The taxiway is also a necessary step toward building a major expansion and modernization of the Tom Bradley International Terminal. Los Angeles airport officials are seeking federal stimulus funding for the entire cost of the project, said Gina-Marie Lindsey, executive director of Los Angeles World Airports. Construction is expected to begin within a few months, and will involve demolishing several buildings and constructing a new fire rescue station at Los Angeles International. The environmental report was approved unanimously, and without controversy. |
excellent, i was hoping this project would get stimulus money.
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Magazine Honors LAX Ocean-Inspired Design
By Staff Writer February 17, 2009 The ocean-inspired concept for remodeling the international terminal at LAX was named one of the state's 10 most promising architectural projects by California Home and Design magazine, it was announced today. Fentress Architects came up with the idea of designing rooftops resembling crashing waves and other elements inspired by the nearby Pacific. The arches of Los Angeles International Airport's iconic theme building also are incorporated into the overall design. "This distinction proclaims that we are on the right track in terms of modernizing LAX, dramatically enhancing the passenger experience and reestablishing the airport as a modern U.S. gateway in a competitive global market," said Gina Marie Lindsey, executive director of Los Angeles World Airports. The project is expected to cost $2 billion to $3 billion. Fentress Architects won a $41.5 million, three-year contract to design the west side of the Tom Bradley International Terminal and a midfield concourse. The Bradley West project will take about seven years to complete. The firm also designed Denver International Airport, where the roof is adorned with white fiberglass peaks to represent the Rocky Mountains. |
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la...,5124260.story
Cross-field taxiway OKd for LAX By Dan Weikel March 24, 2009 Los Angeles airport officials Monday approved construction of a key modernization project at LAX. The Board of Airport Commissioners unanimously awarded an $82-million contract to R&L Brosamer Inc. to build a cross-field taxiway for Los Angeles International Airport that would make it easier for aircraft to move between the north and south runway complexes. The cross-field taxiway, which is scheduled to begin construction in May, is one of several projects in the first phase of the long-awaited LAX modernization plan. The others include reconstructing the airport's central utility plant and substantial improvements to the Bradley terminal, such as additional gates, new concourses and a great central hall filled with restaurants and concessions. Airport officials estimate the cost of the first round of projects as at least $3.3 billion. |
Terminals to Receive Makeovers
By Art Marroquin, Staff Writer April 21, 2009 Expect some much-needed repairs and improvements to three terminals at Los Angeles International Airport, a task that airport director Gina Marie Lindsey has likened to putting "lipstick on a pig." While a complete overhaul of Terminals 1, 3 and 6 would be preferred, there are a series of inexpensive, quick-fix solutions that can improve the look of the outdated buildings within a year, according to Ellen Wright, an architect for Los Angeles World Airports, the agency that operates LAX. "We've got paint, we've got carpet and like a home, we need to de-clutter," Wright told the airport commission Tuesday. Terminal 1 has seen no real improvements since it was built to handle an influx of travelers during the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Terminals 3 and 6, built in 1961, have also deteriorated since they were last renovated during the mid-1980s. The cosmetic touch-ups, preliminarily estimated to cost $4 million to $5 million per terminal, call for fresh coats of paint, laying new carpet, hanging new signs, installing new lights and creating new lobby space. Airport officials also plan to move luggage carts and other passenger amenities that obstruct passenger walkways through the terminals. "The needs are more extensive than just putting lipstick on a pig," Lindsey said. "The needs are for renovations of the bones, kind of like what we are doing now with the existing Tom Bradley International Terminal, but that would take a long time and would be more expensive than what we can afford to do right now." |
LAX Project Gets Additional $51M
By Art Marroquin, Staff Writer April 21, 2009 The Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners on Tuesday awarded an additional $51.2 million to Denver-based Fentress Architects to provide more designs for the ongoing modernization of Los Angeles International Airport. The revised contract, set to expire in May 2015, calls on Fentress to draw up plans for the federal inspection and shopping areas within the expanded Tom Bradley International Terminal. Earlier this year, Fentress unveiled schematics for a new exterior of the Bradley terminal and six new aircraft gates capable of handling super-jumbo jets. The new facility, dubbed "Bradley West," is expected to be completed by 2014 at a cost of $1.5 billion. "This takes us all the way to the end of the project, to the ribbon cutting," said Gina Marie Lindsey, executive director of Los Angeles World Airports, the agency that operates LAX. The project comes as LAX continues to struggle with dwindling passenger volumes, but airport officials said they intend to press ahead. In the meantime, the International Air Transport Association has expressed concerns about the project's costs and has asked airport officials to openly discuss a variety of funding options. "Basically, the airlines want a seat at the table and want to provide important feedback about the plans before it's too late," said Steve Lott, a spokesman for IATA, which represents 230 domestic and international airline carriers. "We've seen expansion projects at other airports where we were not brought in early and we are stuck with the bill for something that doesn't work," Lott said. "We don't want that to happen in L.A." LAX officials said they hope to sell enough bonds to complete construction of the Bradley West project, along with a new crossfield taxiway and several new elevators and escalators, but additional funds will be needed to complete a series of infrastructure improvements to the airport's other terminals. To fill the financial gap, LAX officials have signaled their support for a proposed increase of passenger facility fees, which allows the nation's airports to collect up to $4.50 for every airline passenger. "We cannot complete those other projects without an increase in the user fees," Lindsey said. Lott warned that hiking passenger facility charges would also increase costs for airlines landing at LAX. "We shouldn't jump on one option," Lott said. "LAX should look outside the box for funding options before jumping on that." The four-year contract extension with Fentress comes just one year after the airport commission signed off on a $41.5 million, three-year deal with the firm. Under the deal, Fentress will also design a new central utility plant that will provide an improved heating and cooling system for the airport. In a related move, the airport commission approved a $10.9 million contract with the Phoenix-based joint venture of Austin Commercial and Walsh to provide pre-construction services for the Bradley West project. Additionally, the airport commission put out a call for bids for a construction manager to oversee efforts to renovate the federal inspection areas, restrooms, airline lounges and concession areas in the Bradley terminal. Separately, the airport commission awarded a $5.8 million contract to Santa Fe Springs-based Griffith Co. to build a new aircraft ramp, airfield security fences and emergency exits at the American Airlines maintenance hangar. |
Regarding the rail connection...
From The Transit Coalition:
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that would be perfect. with no stops from Union station, i cant imagine it taking longer than 20 minutes.
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^ Assuming it would be nonstop and mostly grade-separated, I'd say it's more like 10-15 minutes.
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Not only would this eliminate one of the biggest issues that travelers have with LAX and Los Angeles, it would make Angeleno's lives much easier. Traffic around the airport would decrease and there wouldn't be anymore "waking up at 4:00 am to avoid hitting morning traffic just to be sure I make it to LAX on time." LAX Express would give me a major chub. :banana: |
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