Visitors navigating LAX horseshoe may have recently noticed the arrival of a new steel truss bridge connecting to Terminal 2.  The pedestrian overcrossing is the second of six similar structures that are being built within the Central Terminal Area in conjunction with a new automated people mover system.

Rendering of Terminal 2 and 3 renovationDelta Airlines

“Building pedestrian bridges over the main access road at an active airport is no small engineering and construction feat,” said Jake Adams, deputy executive director of the LAX Landside Access Modernization Program in a prepared statement. “The continuous coordination between the builders, airport operations, and airlines made this key component of our ongoing transformation at LAX a success."  

The Terminal 2 bridge, which will connect to the people mover's central terminal station, was assembled over four evenings. The installation of floor and roof beams is now underway, which will provide further support for the pedestrian overpass.

Rendering of the LAX Automated People Mover in the central terminal areaLos Angeles World Airports

Starting in 2022, four additional bridges will be connected above the horseshoe - formally known as World Way - connecting the future people mover stop to Terminal 1.5, Terminal 3, Tom Bradley International Terminal, and Terminal 5.5.  An existing bridge linking Terminals 7 and 8 to a parking structure is to be incorporated into a bridge linking with the people mover as well.

The new bridges are relatively modest components of the $5.5-billion LAX landside access modernization program, which is itself a mere fraction of a $14-billion makeover that is rapidly reshaping one of the busest airports in the world.  The people mover, one of the centerpieces of the program, will be a 2.25-mile monorail-like train with three stops in the central terminal area, and connections to two off-site ground transportation hubs and a rental car facility.  The people mover is expected to begin serving passengers in 2023.

View of 96th Street Station from Aviation BoulevardGrimshaw Architects

In a separate but complementary project, Metro broke ground earlier this year on a $900-million infill station on the Crenshaw/LAX and C Lines which will connect with the people mover at 96th Street and Aviation Boulevard.  That at-grade station, which will also be served by local and regional buses, is scheduled to open in 2024.

  • LAX (Urbanize LA)