Construction has begun on the $898.6 million Airport Metro Connector (AMC) project that will link Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to the city's public transport network.
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro) says the AMC is the ninth station along the Crenshaw/LAX Line currently under construction.
It will connect directly with the Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) Automated People Mover project — presently being built — that connects directly with the airport passenger terminals.
LA mayor Eric Garcetti says: “The Airport Metro Connector is a historic step toward re-imagining how travellers experience our airport — a turning point that will be a source of jobs and economic growth, reduce congestion, and help our airport realise its potential as a world-class gateway to Los Angeles.”
The new AMC station will be located at Aviation and 96th Street.
The project includes platforms to access LA Metro light rail trains, and a 16-bay bus plaza that will serve LA Metro and other municipal bus operators including Santa Monica Big Blue Bus, Culver City Bus, Torrance Transit, GTrans (Gardena) and Beach Cities Transit.
Additionally, the station features a bike hub, a private vehicle drop-off zone and easy access to the LAX people mover, a new Metro customer service centre and interactive information kiosks.
LA Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins says: “The AMC station will also provide multiple connections to the Metro system and will help airport-area employees and travellers easily get to wherever they need to go in our region.”
The rail station portion of the project will contain two light rail platforms that will be accessed via escalators and elevators, new swing door faregates and a full roof covering over the entire platform.
Sustainable features include 550,000-plus kilowatts of solar panels, large native landscaping areas and electric bus charging stations.
The AMC project is expected to be completed in 2024.
