The L.A. Board of Airport Commissioners voted Thursday to approve a $6 billion project to modernize Los Angeles International Airport.
Airport officials said the renovation would reduce traffic on nearby streets and improve the overall traveler experience.
According to commissioners, the remodel will require 4,700 individual construction projects and create thousands of jobs. In addition to alleviating traffic in the immediate area of LAX, it also aims to rejigger runways to decrease the need for aircraft idling and consequent air pollution.
Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.-43), who represents parts of South L.A., Inglewood, Gardena, and Torrance, publicly opposed the plan because it would add new gates to the airport.
"An increase in LAX capacity of this magnitude would facilitate a significant increase in the number of planes being accommodated by LAX and a corresponding increase in landings and departures, harmful emissions, traffic congestion and noise for my constituents and all who live and work in the surrounding communities," Waters said in a letter to commissioners last month.
Now, the project must go before the L.A. City Council for final approval.
Councilmember Mike Bonin, who represents neighborhoods in the vicinity of LAX, introduced a series of motions Wednesday to ensure the project optimizes sustainability, widens airport access, and better protects workers.
"LAX modernization will assure we get a world-class airport,” Bonin said. "But it is equally important that we get an airport that is a first-class neighbor and a first-rate employer."
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