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Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) marked a significant milestone with the topping out of the Tom Bradley International Terminal Core. The project is part of the Terminal Cores initiative, which involves the construction of seven new cores at LAX and is set to be completed in 2024.
This $490 million-dollar initiative will enable passengers to access all levels of the terminal buildings using escalators and stairs. Additionally, it will provide a direct link to the People Mover train system, which will connect to the city’s greater public transportation network.
Justin Erbacci, the Chief Executive Officer of Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), expressed his gratitude towards the dedicated workers and the project’s construction and architecture partners, Austin Commercial, LP. He stated that this initiative is one of the most ambitious and anticipated ones to date, with the added benefit of reducing passenger wait times and congestion.
The Tom Bradley International Terminal Core is a three-level structure that offers direct connectivity to the West Central Terminal Area (CTA) station. It is designed for easy travel, with elevators and escalators connecting departures, arrivals, the People Mover, and office spaces. Upon entering the three-story open atrium full of natural light, passengers will have an elevated view of the ticketing level, providing them with an orientation to their surroundings, wayfinding, flight information, and vertical conveyance.
Once the project is complete, passengers will exit the People Mover train’s pathway and be greeted by a 10-foot-tall bronze and granite sculpture of the terminal’s namesake, former Mayor Tom Bradley. Guests who need to check in at the Tom Bradley ticket counters will utilize the vertical circulation of the core to reach the ticket counters and use the self-service baggage drops.
The project is constructed to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver status and CalGreen’s Tier 1 certification, which aligns with LAX’s commitment to sustainability. Austin Commercial’s Senior Vice President, Ralph Ketchum, expressed his satisfaction with the partnership with LAWA and the project’s success.