A groundbreaking ceremony will be held Thursday for the 2.25-mile Automated People Mover at Los Angeles International Airport, which aims to cut down on auto traffic traveling in and out of the airport, officials announced Monday.
The project has a targeted opening date of 2023.
The groundbreaking ceremony will include Mayor Eric Garcetti, members of the City Council, officials from Los Angeles World Airports and other leaders.
Last year, the City Council approved a $4.9 billion contract with LAX Integrated Express Solutions for the design and construction of the Automated People Mover system that will carry passengers among terminals and connect with nearby rail lines.
According to LAWA, the city agency that operates the airport, the People Mover will feature trains traveling among six stations -- three inside the airport terminal loop and three outside the airport.
The system is expected to connect with the Metro Green and Crenshaw/LAX light rail lines, and also with a planned Consolidated Rent-A-Car Center that aims to bring together more than 20 car rental offices in one location. The facility will eliminate the need for rental car courtesy vehicles to enter the central terminal area and reduce the number of autos driving in and out of the airport by an estimated 3,200 each day, officials said.
Electric-powered trains are expected to operate every two minutes, with each train carrying up to 200 people. LAWA officials anticipate the system will be used by 85.1 million passengers per year.
