Construction Begins at LAX, May Lead to Traffic Delays

$23.5M construction project will replace glass canopies, add energy-efficient lighting and install exterior escalators

By Caroline Tan

| Monday, Jul 23, 2012 | Updated 11:42 PM PDT

Los Angeles May Day Images: Rallies Downtown, LAX

LAX

Architectural renderings of the proposed changes to LAX's Tom Bradley International Terminal. The construction project is scheduled to end in spring 2013.

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Construction began Monday morning at the Tom Bradley International Terminal on Monday morning, shutting down several curbside lanes and warning travelers to expect traffic delays in the coming months.

The $23.5 million construction project -- which aims to improve the “curb appeal of the central terminal area” -- will replace the glass canopies outside the terminal with modern ones, introduce new seating areas for travelers waiting to be picked up and install new signs, exterior escalators and energy-efficient lighting.

“It’s more of that curvilinear type of architecture that we’re seeing now,” said Albert Rodriguez, a spokesman for LAX. “The canopies are actually going to resemble, kind of an airplane wing.”

The terminal’s north entrance doors on the departures level will be closed, and commuters on that level will not have access to the curbside between the international terminal and terminal four, LAX officials said in a July 20 press release. The pedestrian sidewalk next to the curb will still be open.

These restrictions will remain in effect through spring 2013, when the project is scheduled to be completed.

The project's closures and detours add on to already existing restrictions that went into effect early June, including:

• Closed curbside lanes between Terminal 3 and the International Terminal on both the departure and arrival levels
• Closed curbside lane in front of the International Terminal on the departure level between 12:01 a.m. and 5 a.m.
• Detours and restricted sidewalks for pedestrian lanes in front of the International Terminal on the arrivals level
• Closed northwest entrance of parking structure 3

Though LAX officials said they do not expect major traffic delays, they are encouraging commuters who may pass by the area to plan accordingly and allow more travel time. Alternatively, motorists waiting to pick up a passenger can park their car in the LAX Cell Phone Waiting Lot until their party arrives, or park in a Central Terminal Area parking structure to reduce traffic congestion.

Commuters can also check for real-time traffic conditions online.