Metro Gives Public Notice For LAX Transit Project Closures Set For July
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Commuters traveling to and from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) next month could face traffic congestion due to the planned 57-hour demolition of a defunct railroad bridge on Century Boulevard.
Officials with the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) Monday briefed reporters on the planned closure at the intersection of Century Boulevard and Aviation the weekend of July 25 from 9 p.m. Friday until 6 a.m. Monday, July 28.
The demolition project will close a portion of Century Boulevard - a major artery leading into LAX during one of the busiest travel times of the year - and also restrict traffic on Aviation Boulevard. An estimated 92,800 motorists travel through that intersection on a daily basis, according to Metro officials.
Metro's Charles Beauvoir told KNX 1070's Ed Mertz the project involves demolishing an old railroad bridge to clear the site for a new light rail train station that will serve the Crenshaw/LAX Transit Project.
Metro To Give Details On LAX Transit Project Closures Set For July
"We're in concert working with the airport that is developing a people-mover that will connect to our system and take it directly to the airport," Beauvoir said.
The detour area will span approximately one mile between La Cienega and Airport boulevards, officials said.
"While there is no way to predict with certainty how much extra time passengers will need to be on time for flights, the Century Crunch will significantly impact traffic in and around the airport," LAWA Executive Director Gina Marie Lindsey said. "This year's summer travel season is expected to break records for the number of passengers using the airport, so whether flying out, picking someone up, or if you work at LAX, plan ahead and expect to take longer to get there."
The Metro segment of the project is scheduled to be completed by 2019, but it will not be functional until the LAX people-mover is completed. No completion date for that project has been set.
Metro officials urged airport travelers, employees of local businesses and hotel guests to allow extra travel time and use recommended detours listed on the Metro website.
