L.A. Starting Bidding Process for LAX Expansion

Moving forward with ambitious upgrades at Los Angeles International Airport, city officials are in the initial stages of soliciting construction companies to bid on contracts as part of a $5 billion modernization effort that includes a people mover and a rental car facility.

Los Angeles World Airports, the city agency that operates LAX, will hold a networking meeting Feb. 4 for potential bidders for the Landside Access Modernization Program.

The project includes the construction of a 2.25-mile automated people mover, a consolidated rental car facility, transit hubs and roadway improvements.

The networking meeting is a precursor to LAWA issuing “requests for proposals” -- invitations for businesses to bid for construction contracts.

The specifics of the project are still being studied, with LAWA anticipating that environmental impact reports will be released later this year and in 2017.

Mayor Eric Garcetti said the project is part of a “continuous effort to transform LAX into the world-class airport that Los Angeles deserves.”

LAWA has spent $4 billion since 2007 on projects to modernize LAX, including a major overhaul of the Tom Bradley International Terminal.

--City News Service, photo via Shutterstock