LOS ANGELES- Delta Air Lines (DL) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) are at the center of a major infrastructure decision as the airport’s governing board voted unanimously to advance a long planned road project.
The board approved $1.5 billion in new funding to build an elevated road designed to separate airport bound vehicles from local traffic at LAX.
The plan aims to improve safety and efficiency for travelers and residents, although some community members argue that current passenger levels do not justify the investment.
According to LAist, the debate reflects concerns about congestion, timing, and the sequencing of other delayed airport projects such as the Automated People Mover.
Photo: Los Angeles World Airport
Los Angeles Approves $1.5 Billion Road
The approved project covers the construction or replacement of 4.4 miles of roads that lead into and out of the airport.
Supporters state the elevated design will relieve long standing traffic issues that develop along Sepulveda Boulevard, where multiple approaches into the terminals create recurring pinch points.
Emery Molnar, an airport executive, described these conflicts and the resulting jams during comments to the Board of Commissioners before the vote.
Public testimony revealed mixed views. Advocates and residents questioned the necessity of the project, especially with passenger volumes running lower than earlier projections.
Cord Thomas, a Westchester resident, stated that the project may have been well conceived a decade ago, but is no longer necessary.
Many speakers urged airport officials to complete the Automated People Mover first, noting that the train has faced delays and has accumulated hundreds of millions in cost overruns.
Photo: Los Angeles World Airports
Full Project Scope and Capital Allocation
The total development cost stands at $1.5 billion. Before this vote, airport leaders had already approved more than six hundred million dollars for early construction work.
This new funding represents a portion of a much larger $30 billion capital improvement plan at the airport.
The project’s sequencing reflects broader strategies to modernize surface access, reduce bottlenecks, and support future mobility systems that connect travelers to nearby transit infrastructure.
Photo: Delta
Construction Timeline and Delivery Expectations
Current plans call for completion of inbound roads in the months before the 2028 Games. Outbound roads, landscaping, and remaining project elements are scheduled for delivery by spring of 2030.
Critics point to the experience of past transportation projects, noting that delays during earlier phases suggest the schedule could slip.
Public commenters referenced the history of the Automated People Mover as a warning, arguing that significant risks remain related to cost control and on time delivery.
Core Concerns and Induced Travel Impacts
Opponents argue that new roadways could encourage more driving, similar to the outcomes seen after the expansion of the 405 Freeway.
They also state that the main congestion issue does not lie on the approach roads but within the central terminal area, where pickup and drop-off activities create the most significant slowdowns.
Kenneth Ehrenberg, a US Space Force captain and Westchester resident, emphasized this point, stating that the key bottleneck is the horseshoe where vehicles circulate around terminal entrances.
Contractor Performance and Past Disputes
One of the selected builders, FlatironDragados, is part of LINXS, the consortium hired in 2018 to design and construct the Automated People Mover.
The relationship between LINXS and the city has been contentious, contributing to delays that moved the train’s expected opening from 2023 to sometime next year.
The city also approved nearly eight hundred eighty million dollars in added costs to settle disputes related to delivery.
Los Angeles Airport Light Towers; Photo- Wikipedia
Next Steps and Stakeholder Support
Following the unanimous vote, the future for those hoping to pause the project remains uncertain.
The roadways initiative has strong backing from the local council district, labor unions, and the business district serving hotels and parking facilities near the airport.
Despite concerns from residents, airport officials maintain that the road project is essential to meet long term transportation needs and prepare the region for upcoming major events.
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