LAWA Authorizes $336M Design-Build Contract to Construct Terminal Cores for LAX's Automated People Mover

The Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners (BOAC) authorized the award of a $336.5 million contract to design and build three terminal cores as part of Los Angeles World Airports’ (LAWA) Landside Access Modernization Program (LAMP). The terminal cores consist of new and upgraded facilities that will be built in key locations around the terminal area to provide staircases, escalators, elevators, and walkways that will connect Los Angeles International Airport’s (LAX) terminals with the new Automated People Mover (APM). The five-year design-build (DB) contract was awarded to Austin Commercial, LP., of Dallas, Texas.

The project, called “Terminal Cores and Automated People Mover Interface Project at Los Angeles International Airport,” (Terminal Cores), will build new structures at designated terminal locations to facilitate the movement of guests between the terminals and three APM stations that will be built. These new structures will also provide space that can be used for offices, baggage claims, restrooms, airport lounges, or other airport uses, as determined by LAWA and its partners.

“I’m pleased to begin 2018 with a significant advancement of the LAMP program, one that will create a world-class experience when traveling to and from the airport, and within our terminals,” said LAWA Chief Executive Officer Deborah Flint. “This project will ultimately connect our guests to our regional transportation system, and it will also create construction jobs, ensuring that the local workforce is part of building the future of LAX.”

“With this award, we are moving forward in opening a new front door to LAX,” said Cynthia Guidry, Deputy Executive Director of LAWA’s Planning and Development Group. “By connecting LAX by an elevated train to Metro, parking, and other transportation options, we will usher in a new era of convenience and accessibility for all who visit LAX.”

The Terminal Cores Project includes two new cores located between Terminals 5 & 6 and the Tom Bradley International Terminal, and one upgraded core at Terminal 7. These will compliment four additional cores, which are planned for construction by American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Southwest Airlines, serving Terminals 4 & 5, 2 & 3, and 1, respectively.

The Terminal Cores will be designed and constructed to achieve both Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) level “Silver” status and CalGreen’s “Tier 1” certification as part of LAWA’s commitment to sustainability.

Phase 1 of the Terminal Cores project, which includes preliminary design and associated tasks, is planned to commence in the first quarter of 2018. Phase 2, which includes the conclusion of design work and the start of construction, is anticipated to begin in the first quarter of 2019. The project is anticipated to conclude in 2021.

LAMP consists of several primary components: an Automated People Mover (APM) system with six stations that would transport passengers between the central terminal area (CTA) and the other main project components located east of the terminal area. These other components include a Consolidated Rent-A-Car Facility (ConRAC) and two new Intermodal Transportation Facilities (ITF), which include public parking and passenger drop-off and pick-up areas. To provide access to the Metro regional rail system, the APM system would include a station at the ITF where it interfaces with Metro’s Airport Metro Connector station at 96th Street/Aviation Boulevard. In addition to the major components listed, LAMP will also include planned roadway improvements throughout the LAX area.