LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Twenty months after breaking ground for the Midfield Satellite Concourse at Los Angeles International Airport, officials gathered today for a “topping out” ceremony where the last beam for the structure was put into place.
The $2 billion, 12-gate addition to the Tom Bradley International Terminal includes a concourse and an expansion of the baggage handling system, and is expected to be completed in mid-2020.
“Today is more than a construction milestone -- it's an expression of L.A.'s openness to the world, and our connection to people from everywhere in it,” Mayor Eric Garcetti said. “The Midfield Satellite Concourse has created good, middle-class jobs for Angelenos -- and will strengthen L.A.'s global connections when its doors open at LAX."
Garcetti and other officials signed a ceremonial beam that was hoisted and placed near the top of the future ramp tower and bears the signatures of people who helped design and construct the new facility.
“LAX is quickly becoming the world-class airport that Angelenos demand and deserve," Councilman Mike Bonin said. “I am especially excited that the Midfield Satellite Concourse will incorporate a number of sustainability features, such as using passive daylight lighting for the interior spaces, water saving plumbing fixtures and a cool roof that reduces heat absorption. These eco-friendly features will go a long way to minimizing the environmental impact of this needed new facility, and will further LAWA's commitment to make LAX a world class airport that is also a first-class neighbor."
The 750,000-square-foot concourse will be connected to TBIT by two tunnels, with one for passengers and another to deliver utilities and services. The 1,000-foot passenger tunnel will include moving walkways and will be accessible from a new “gateway” being added to TBIT that includes elevators and escalators, LAX said. The new concourse will also include a bus port which will allow passengers to be driven across the airfield after clearing security in another terminal.
“This concourse will be an experience expected in Los Angeles, the best of what our city has to offer,” said Deborah Flint, CEO of Los Angeles World. “In addition to L.A.-centric food, retail and art, thousands of local workers, including our HireLAX graduates, are helping build this city's future right here at LAX.”