A big deal: approval expected for $1.1 billion plan to renovate LAX

Oct. 18, 2009 | By Shirley Jahad | KPCC

The LA Airport Commission is set to vote on a huge deal to expand the Tom Bradley International Terminal at LAX.

The more than $1 billion deal would be the biggest the airport commission has ever approved.

One company is getting all the contracts. It will demolish the Bradley terminal's old concourse area and build a pair of new concourses to the north and south of the structure, and add nine new gates.

Each gate would be capable of handling passengers arriving and departing on newly developed giant airliners such as the Airbus A380 and the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

About 1 million square feet will be added, including shops, restaurants, ticketing, security screening and baggage claim.

A Phoenix-based joint venture of Austin Commercial and Walsh Construction is getting the project. It is expected to generate some 4,000 jobs.

"This is the front door to the United States for millions of international passengers every year, but our front door has, for years, not really reflected the city," Gina Marie Lindsey, executive director of Los Angeles International Airport, told the Daily Breeze. "This project is going to be a tangible way for our front door to be significantly upgraded and something that the city can be proud of."

The contract also would cover construction costs for an expanded federal customs inspection area and a pair of secured corridors connecting with Terminals 3 and 4 to provide easier access for airline passengers needing to catch another flight.

Both projects would be completed by 2013.

Austin-Walsh was awarded a separate $10.9 million contract in April for pre-construction services related to the Bradley West project.

Over the past few years, about $700 million has been spent to refurbish the terminal built in 1984.

KPCC Wire Services contributed to this story.

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