Vehicle testing is now underway for the new LAX automated people mover system, the airport announced last week via social media.

The milestone occurs as officials with airport officials take steps to address recent delays that have set back to the project's expected debut date to late 2025. The Los Angeles Times reports that the Board of Airport Commissioners has approved an additional $200 million in funding for the project to settle claims made by its contractor. That swells the total budget for the system to $2.9 billion, but keeps it on track to begin service in advance of the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics.

Construction of the LAX People Mover's East StationLAWA

Work on the 2.25-mile system, which may be named "SkyLink," is more than 95 percent complete at this point in time. When it opens, it will shuttle passengers between three stops in the LAX central terminal area and two new ground transportation hubs located to the east, as well as a new Metro Rail connection and a massive car rental hub.

Testing of the monorail-like train begins as the airport itself goes through several significant changes.

"An aerial rendering of the Automated People Mover train system."LAWA

With an expansion of Terminal 1 and the construction of a new passenger terminal on the horizon, airport officials have proposed to rename and reorganize its existing and future terminals and gates. Some of that construction will require the addition of an infill people mover stop on the east side of Sepulveda Boulevard.

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