Project Will Separate Local and Airport Traffic, but Concerns Remain
The Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners voted unanimously to move forward with a major new construction project at LAX. On Thursday, they approved more than $1 billion in additional funding for elevated roadways that will separate airport-bound traffic from local streets. The total project cost is $1.5 billion.
Supporters say the project will reduce congestion and improve safety. Critics question the timing, cost, and need.
Why LAX Says It’s Needed
LAX officials say the current road network creates traffic bottlenecks, especially along Sepulveda Boulevard. “Each path into the airport causes pinch points and backups,” said Emery Molnar, an executive overseeing the project.
The plan will create or upgrade 4.4 miles of roads leading in and out of the airport. Some parts are expected to be completed before the 2028 Olympic Games. Others, including landscaping and exit roads, won’t be done until spring 2030.
This roadway expansion is part of a larger $30 billion capital improvement plan at LAX.
Why Some Residents and Experts Oppose It
Before the vote, residents and transportation advocates voiced concern. Cord Thomas, a resident of Westchester, told commissioners: “This is a project that may have made sense 10 years ago, but it’s no longer necessary.”
Critics point out that:
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LAX passenger traffic has not fully recovered since the pandemic.
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The project may encourage more driving, similar to what happened with the 405 Freeway expansion.
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The pick-up and drop-off areas inside the airport remain the real bottleneck.
Captain Kenneth Ehrenberg of the U.S. Space Force said the plan does not address the core traffic issue: congestion inside the central terminal loop.
Cost to Angeleno Taxpayers
Although LAX is largely funded through user fees, airport bonds, and federal dollars, city residents still bear indirect costs:
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The project will affect surrounding traffic and construction zones for years.
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The city is exposed to risk if the project goes over budget, as it did with the Automated People Mover.
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Public trust is affected when costs climb and deadlines are missed.
So far, over $600 million has already been approved for early construction.
History of Delays and Cost Overruns
One of the contractors selected, FlatironDragados, is also part of the LINXS consortium building the LAX Automated People Mover. That train was supposed to open in 2023. It has been delayed until at least 2025. Disputes between LINXS and the city have added nearly $880 million in unexpected costs.
Critics say this history raises red flags about whether the new roadways project will be delivered on time and within budget.
What’s Next
Despite opposition, the project moves ahead. It has support from:
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The local City Council district
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Labor unions
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The airport-area business improvement district, including hotels and parking companies
There is no indication that the Board of Airport Commissioners plans to pause or reassess the project.
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