LA’s $15-billion airport modernization takes one step closer to completion

Construction of the LAX Automated People Mover guideway over Sepulveda Boulevard (Photo: Brandon Tseng/Los Angeles World Airports)

The $4.9-billion Automated People Mover at Los Angeles International Airport is complete, taking the air travel hub’s long-range modernization plan one step closer to reality.

Fluor Corporation has announced its joint venture team, LINXS Constructors – comprised of Fluor, Balfour Beatty, Dragados USA and Flatiron – has finished construction of LAX’s train guideway structure for Los Angeles World Airports.

The Automated People Mover (APM) is a 2.25-mile electric train system that is said will feature six stations. Three stations are inside the Central Terminal Area (CTA) that connect to the terminals via elevated pedestrian walkways and three stations outside the CTA that connect to new off-site parking facilities, rail transportation and a rental car facility.

LAX broke ground on the APM project in March of 2019, while construction of the guideway began in November of that year with the first underground support columns being placed. Fluor said that a total of 69,700 cubic yards of concrete have been poured since 2019 to complete the structure.

It’s estimated the system will be operational in 2023.

The APM is the centerpiece of LAX’s Landside Access Modernization Program (LAMP) which will enhance the traveler experience, give guests time-certain access to terminals and provide the long-awaited connection to the regional transportation system. The 30-year contract was the largest ever awarded in the City of Los Angeles’ history and was the first Public Private Partnership (P3) contract at LAX. 

A reimagined Los Angeles International Airport is on the horizon as part of a $15-billion Capital Improvement Program that will “modernize terminals, provide an elevated guest experience, create a safer airfield, improve access to one of the world’s busiest airports and provide the long-awaited connection to regional transportation,” according to facility’s website.

“Over the last two and a half years, we have seen the guideway rise up from its foundation to become a fully completed track, providing us a glimpse at what will provide time-guaranteed access to the airport, ensuring greater mobility for all of those coming to and from LAX,” said Justin Erbacci, chief executive officer, Los Angeles World Airports.

“The completion of the guideway structure is a remarkable milestone for the project as we are one step closer to realizing a new transportation experience at one of the world’s busiest airports. We will soon leverage this accomplishment with train car testing later this year,” added Sam Choy, project director at LINXS Constructors.