LA Metro Light Rail Will Connect to LAX

Leaders at Los Angeles World Airports and the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority have set aside long-standing differences to bring rail transit to Los Angeles International Airport.

The two agencies announced this week that they are now working jointly to decide which of four sites would work best for a Metro light rail station that could tie the existing Green Line and the planned Crenshaw Line to the airport.

During the Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners meeting on Monday, LAWA staff reported they have "substantially accelerated planning work and coordination with Metro staff to evaluate the best interface of our airport facilities with transit," according to the release.

To support this proposal LAWA has agreed to provide scarce airport property located west of Sepulveda Boulevard at the east end of the airport's central terminal for a Metro light rail station, airport officials said in a release.

LAWA and Metro officials have also identified three possible sites for a Metro light rail interface to connect with an automated people mover system.

Airport officials said they are currently coordinating with Metro on the Crenshaw/LAX Line Project to ensure the design of the Century/Aviation Station is aligned with and will better integrate with any potential LAWA infrastructure nearby.

On a parallel but separate effort, LAWA is moving forward with the LAX Master Plan Specific Plan Amendment Study, which evaluates options for configuring the LAX north airfield and a long-range plan for ground transportation access to the central terminal area.

SPAS is part of a multi-billion-dollar, multi-year modernization program at LAX.

Earlier this month, LAWA unveiled a staff-recommended alternative for the LAX Master Plan SPAS, which proposes new ground transportation facilities east of Sepulveda Boulevard, including an intermodal transportation facility in the vicinity of Lot C; a consolidated rental car facility at Manchester Square on airport property located about one mile east of the airline terminals; and an automated people mover to connect the terminals and off-airport facilities when forecast demand levels materialize and can justify these investments.

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Transportation industry California
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