LAX: Leading the way into the future of aviation

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is poised to regain the spotlight as one of the leading airports in the world thanks to an unprecedented level of construction not seen since the 1984 Olympic Games. Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), a department within the City of Los Angeles, which operates LAX has embarked on a multi-billion dollar capital improvement programme at the airport.

Passenger volumes and new generation aircraft service has steadily increased at LAX, necessitating the need to modernise and renovate the airport. These improvements aim to dramatically enhance the passenger experience from curbside to airside and re-establish LAX as a modern U.S. gateway in a competitive global market. With over $4.1 billion being invested in completed or on-going projects, the modernisation is easily the largest public works project in the history of Los Angeles. The modernisation is expected to create 39,900 local jobs, and will pump $6.89 billion dollars into the local economy. The majority of the programme is being funded by LAX operating revenues, passenger facility charge fees, airport revenue bonds, concessions and advertising revenue with some federal monies via the Federal Aviation Administration in the form of Airport Improvement Programme funds. Residents of LA can rest assured that their taxpayer dollars are not being used to fund the project.

A $750 million dollar interior renovation was completed at the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) last summer and has dramatically upgraded the look and feel of this facility. Travelling through TBIT has become safer, faster and more convenient. Where travellers once experienced a dated look and congested areas, they can now expect a spacious and uncluttered departures lobby and contemporary styling and functionality at the ticketing counters. Large explosive detection machines that once took up space in the lobby and required a separate waiting line for travellers have been relocated behind-the-scenes to a new 45,000 square-foot checked baggage security screening facility. Other programme elements include revamped facades for restaurants in the mezzanine food court area and improvements to the fire and life safety systems, electrical systems, restrooms, elevators and escalators, climate control/ventilation systems, and signage (including dynamic video panels and digital signage that automatically updates flight information). The project also includes new IT components that support the upgrades and promotes better passenger flow and improved accessibility for passengers with disabilities. The airlines that serve TBIT also funded over $20 million to build new, larger first- and business-class lounges. All boarding gate waiting areas have been redesigned with better lighting and higher ceilings. Two large boarding areas have been built at each end of the concourse to accommodate new generation aircraft with dual boarding gates and two level seating arrangements.

Arriving international passengers are welcomed to the U.S. via new arrival corridors that lead to an improved Customs Arrivals Hall, here updated workstations allow customs officers to process passengers quickly and efficiently. Large, high-capacity baggage carousels speed up baggage claim while a Disney produced video with beaming American faces are on hand to welcome international passengers. The ‘meet and greet’ area has also been dramatically transformed with lit-up glass panelled walls, modern new concessions and eateries, and large flat-screen displays that provide ‘meeters and greeters’ with information on flight status and entertainment via video art displays.

However, this is just the beginning. LAWA is well underway with construction on the long awaited $1.5 billion Bradley West Project. This project alone will create 4,000 jobs in the Los Angeles region. The new facility will have 18 new roomier boarding gates with nine able to accommodate new generation aircraft compared with only 13 gates at the current facility, of which, only two are capable of accommodating new generation aircraft. The Bradley West Project will also connect Terminals 3 and 4. Besides making travel more convenient and comfortable, Bradley West will also add a 1.25 million square-foot great hall for premier dining and world-class retail shopping.

Bradley West is a modern engineering marvel and will provide Los Angeles the world-class transportation facility it has always deserved. Using the latest in computer-aided design techniques, 3-D modelling and state-of-the-art construction practices, never before has a project of this scale and complexity been designed, engineered and constructed in such a short period of time, taking less than three years from groundbreaking to scheduled opening.

The distinctive architectural design of the project adeptly captures the vibrant spirit of Los Angeles. The dynamic new design for the airport is inspired by the Pacific Ocean on LAX’s west side. 310,785 square-feet of glass on the rooftops will flow as rhythmic waves as if breaking on the shore. Bradley West will contain 45,000 tonnes of flatseam stainless steel, enough to build five Eiffel Towers, stretching over the column-free structure and creating a cohesive theme that unifies the entire airport. The first phase of the Bradley West Project is scheduled for completion on December 12, 2012 (12/12/12).

LAX will also see great improvement to the domestic travel experience with several major airlines at LAX renovating their respective terminals. Some of these renovations will include modernised check-in lobbies, new in-line baggage systems, redesigned boarding gate areas and completely revamped dining and retail concessions areas. LAWA will also be replacing 1.7 miles of new elevators, 1.27 miles of new escalators and 0.7 miles of moving walkways. A new Central Utility Plant (CUP) is also on the horizon and will provide utility services, including air conditioning and heating needs for all of the terminals at LAX including Bradley West. Work has begun on replacing the current 50 year-old structure with a $438 million, state-of-the-art facility. This project will take place while maintaining all ongoing operations and has been likened to performing open-heart surgery on a patient running a marathon!

The new CUP will be 25% more energyefficient than the current one and will meet California’s stringent air-quality regulations. In addition to the facility itself, the replacement project includes up to eighteen miles of pipe for the underground piping network serving the passenger terminals and other buildings, combustion gas turbines, heat-recovery steam generators, cooling towers, water refrigeration/ heating equipment and ancillary pumps. The old facility will be demolished when the new one becomes operational in August 2014.

Along with the modernisation, LAX has also added many new safety features to the airfield. Improvements to LAX’s south airfield was completed in 2008. The new airfield configuration includes a center taxiway that allows aircraft to slow down after exiting the runway environment and obtain air traffic control permission prior to crossing the parallel runway on their way to their terminal gate. LAX is also in the process of receiving the second part of a runway status lights system, which uses a series of pavement embedded red lights to warn pilots if it is unsafe to cross into a runway. Both of these features significantly reduce possibility of runway incursions and improve safety standards.

An upgraded Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Facility (ARFF) was completed in late 2010 doubling the size of the original outdated facility. The new ARFF has seven bays to house state-of-the-art emergency vehicles and equipment and can accommodate 14 specially trained firefighters. This facility is the largest firefighting facility in Los Angeles.

LAX is not only modernising its infrastructure, but also preserving its heritage by completing a $12.3-million renovation of the iconic LAX Theme Building. Originally completed in 1961, the historic building began to show its age when a large piece of stucco fell off one of its arches in 2007 due to years of accumulated weather and moisture damage. A new moisture, water and ice-proof stucco design was integrated into the building’s infrastructure to protect it from weather effects as well as an ingenious fan system to both dry out and purge moisture from the arches. A seismic retro-fit of the building was also undertaken, which required installation of a tuned mass damper (TMD). Comprised of 600 tonnes of steel, the TMD was installed in the top core of the building to counteract violent motion caused by earthquakes. This type of top installation is the first of its kind in the U.S. and it has eliminated the need to widen the lower arch legs and allowed the building to retain its original, historical appearance safeguarding it for the enjoyment of future travelers.

All of these projects have or are taking place while maintaining full airport operations. This has required careful phasing and co-ordination of all projects between the airlines, tenants, the various federal agencies and every division within LAWA. To aid in this effort LAX has also completed construction on a $13.9 million Airport Response Coordination Center (ARCC). $8.4 million (65% of the budget) was allocated for installation of state-of-the-art technology, equipment and software. The ARCC greatly enhances LAX service to passengers, tenant and the surrounding community by streamlining airport operations and improving emergency response capabilities.

By improving coordination during a heavy construction schedule and potential critical incidents, airport officials expect to improve service to the travelling public with minimal impact and disruptions to the public. This investment in the future of LAX will ensure the airport’s resurgence as an eminent and economically vital world class aviation gateway that will benefit not only the Southern California region but the United States as a whole.