As the Consolidated Rent-A-Car (ConRAC) facility and Automated People Mover (APM) train system continue toward construction completion, the last major element over the roadway - a pedestrian bridge connecting Tom Bradley International Terminal to the West Central Terminal Area (CTA) APM station - wrapped up a progress-filled third quarter for the future of LAX.

The pedestrian bridge structure that will connect Tom Bradley International to the West CTA station.

The last steel beam was placed at the West CTA station (top), pedestrian bridge construction continued (bottom left) and station exterior finishing

work began (bottom right).

Inside the Central Terminal Area (CTA), LAX continues its transformation with several construction achievements on the APM train system, including:

• This August, crews completed structural steel installation at the West CTA station, the sixth and final APM station to be topped out.
• Steel truss installation for the final APM pedestrian bridge was completed at the Tom Bradley International Terminal. Work will continue in the coming weeks with the installation of floor and roof beams.
• Glass and exterior metal panels were installed at the pedestrian bridges connecting to Terminals 2 and 4.
• Exterior metal panel installation began at the Center and East CTA stations.

The first train car was unveiled (top), while work continued on the Economy Parking station (bottom left) and Intermodal Transportation Facility-East (bottom right).

Outside the CTA, guideway operations are moving forward with guiderail and walkway installation. Exterior metal panel installation also continues at the APM stations. Recent milestones include:

• Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti joined city, federal and airport officials to unveil the first APM train car. LAX will be the first U.S. airport to feature the INNOVIA 300 APM vehicles.
• At the Economy Parking station, glass door installation continues on the station platform. In addition, civil work continues on the north side of 96th Street, adjacent to the station.
• At the Intermodal Transportation Facility-East (ITF-East) station, exterior metal panel installation and interior work continues.

In the coming weeks, the final structural steel element of the project will be installed at the East CTA station. The steel will be the base for the station’s viewing pavilion, which will provide travelers with a picturesque view of the iconic LAX Theme Building.

 

Outside the CTA, the APM Maintenance and Storage Facility is being prepared for electrification, allowing the project team to begin systems testing. More train cars will also arrive on site at the Maintenance facility in preparation for testing in the first quarter of 2023.

 

In addition, the project team is preparing to remove the ITF-East station scaffolding over Aviation Boulevard.

Landscaping (top), striping (bottom left) and employee surface parking solar canopy installation completed in Q3.

Summer construction accomplishments include:

• Completed permanent building water installation, in addition to the connection of permanent fire water.
• Completion of Quick Turn Around building vehicle lift testing and floor striping, along with ongoing dry testing (compressed air and vacuums).
• On-going Quick Turn Around building systems verification.
• Final Agencies Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) sign-off in progress for the fire sprinkler system in the Ready Return/Idle Storage buildings.
• Completed elevator sign-off by state inspectors.
• Completed south parking lot solar canopy construction and solar system sign-off by the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety.
• Ongoing progress of the Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) for active permits.
• Continued start-ups & testing of systems at the Ready Return/Idle Storage buildings.
• Completed site landscaping and fencing.

The construction of Concourse Way (top) and the commissioning of the

Quick Turn Around building (bottom images) will get underway in the

coming months.

This fall progress will continue at the ConRAC facility, expected activities to include:

• Civil construction and road work on Arbor Vitae Street, La Cienega Boulevard and the extension of Concourse Way, which will eventually connect Century Boulevard to Arbor Vitae Street.
• Commissioning and start-up of equipment for the Ready Return/Idle Storage and Quick Turn Around buildings.

 

Ernie Moreno (left); James Garcia (right).

APM Project

Ernie Moreno is the President of the certified Disabled Veterans Business Enterprise subcontracting firm Marne Construction, Inc. Ernie's company specializes in concrete and provides sidewalks, seat walls, gutters and curbs for the project. "My dad was a contractor," Ernie explained, so he was familiar with the construction industry. After his service in the military, a friend introduced Ernie to concrete work, which eventually led him to become the president of his own company.

From previous projects, Ernie made contacts at LAWA and is excited that his firm is working at LAX now. Marne Construction worked closely with Merriwether & Williams Insurance Services after receiving their contract award in order to obtain the proper bonding needed to perform work on the project.

Ernie is from nearby Riverside, so has used the airport many times and hopes that his firm can contribute to making the experience more pleasant for all travelers. It's been a rewarding experience so far, Ernie says, "when you see an area go from a dirt lot to a completed building with roads and sidewalks."

ConRAC Project

After spending his youth making a series of wrong turns, James Garcia knows how easy it is to find oneself going down the wrong path. James grew up in an educated middle-class family from Lancaster, California. However, he spent most of his youth in and out of trouble. Hanging out with the wrong crowd throughout middle school led James to multiple stints in juvenile hall youth detention that culminated with a prison sentence that started four days after high school graduation.

 

Despite the rocky road of his youth, James always knew he wanted to work in construction. Through the Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC) program, James has been able to rebuild his life in the career of his dreams with PCL Construction Services (PCL), Inc. He is now on solid footing and able to provide for himself and his family.

 

James is grateful for the career opportunities he received from ARC and PCL. He is currently a 5th-period carpenter apprentice who had a hand in building the ConRAC facility.  James looks forward to the day he is a project superintendent and mentor.

APM Project

LINXS Constructors continued to support certified firm outreach events this quarter, including a virtual training workshop focused on “How to Deliver an Impactful and Memorable Elevator Pitch," as part of their continuing Mentor-Protégé Program. The workshop was presented by Melissa Tong, award-winning storyteller, best-selling author, public speaker, customer communication master and Founder/CCO of DuckPuck Productions.

 

The six-month Mentor-Protégé Program provides one-on-one training to firms certified as small, local and/or disadvantaged business enterprises as a part of the LINXS Training Institute of LA. Subcontractors interested in participating in the next the Mentor-Protégé Program cohort can email opportunities@linxscjv.com.

 

As of September 2022, the LINXS Inclusivity Team has participated in more than 600 community events and given more than 330 scholarships totaling more than $371,000. Recent outreach initiatives included: NCRF Resume & Cover Letter Workshop, NCRF Careers in Construction Presentation, Koliab Youth Partnership Meeting, and EXP GPS Your Future.

 

The Inclusivity team also supported craft worker development by partnering with the LAX Coastal Chamber’s Small Business Enterprise Certification Program and holding workshops as part of the LINXS Training Institute of LA.

 

ConRAC Project

LAX ConRAC Partners’ (LAXCP) commitment to investing in small and local businesses remains an integral part of the Consolidated Rent-A-Car (ConRAC) facility construction process. One such enterprise is Alameda Construction Services, Inc.

 

Founded in 1992 and incorporated in 1997 by Kevin Ramsey as a South Los Angeles general building construction company, Alameda began by renovating houses, apartments and commercial buildings. They now handle a wide variety of services for residential and commercial clients as well as for public works projects. Alameda Construction Services, Inc. is a certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), and Small Business Enterprise (SBE).

 

Onsite at the ConRAC since November 2020, Alameda Construction Services, Inc.’s work includes placement of topping slab, infilling metal stairs with concrete and pouring concrete for the emergency egress pedestrian corridors. Also, Alameda is installing curbs and gutters in the parking lot and on the future Concourse Way extension.

 

As the project progresses to completion and operational readiness, LAXCP looks forward to creating even more opportunities for small and local businesses like Alameda Construction Services, Inc.