Airport operator Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) has reached a tentative memorandum of understanding (MOU) with community organization Alliance for a Regional Solution to Airport Congestion (ARSAC) over modernization plans at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in California.
The MOU between LAWA and ARSAC would be a landmark agreement that would help clear the path for billions of dollars in investment to modernize LAX, including the proposed Landside Access Modernization Program (LAMP) to bring rail to the airport, while bringing long-sought neighborhood resources to the communities of Westchester and Playa del Rey. If approved by the city council, the MOU will usher in a new era of cooperation between LAWA and the local community.
Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles Mayor, said, “All Angelenos deserve livable neighborhoods, whether they’re quiet and secluded, or next to one of the world’s largest airports.
“Our goal in this process has always been to reach a compromise that helps us strengthen and enhance the Westchester and Playa del Rey communities while pursuing a world-class modernization of LAX. After years of hard work, I am proud that we have reached this tentative agreement together.”
As part of the agreement, LAWA would commit to implementing and studying a variety of safety improvements on the airport’s north airfield and would identify a site for a new air quality monitoring station. The tentative MOU will be heard by the full city council next week on August 24, 2016.
Deborah Flint, CEO, LAWA, said, “I am proud of my team and appreciative of the efforts of all who put aside differences to draft an agreement that would allow LAWA to move forward with a community-sensitive plan for LAMP that would relieve the growing traffic congestion in and around LAX, allow us to implement airfield safety measures, and improve the guest experience with new gate facilities.”
Denny Schneider, president of ARSAC, said, “We have been the strongest advocate for fixing and improving service at LAX and to make it safe. This is a great day for LA because LAWA is now updating needed landside terminals and public access to LAX along with significant taxiway improvements and upgraded electronics.”
Under the tentative MOU, ARSAC has agreed it will not directly or indirectly commence, prosecute or fund any lawsuits or administrative complaints that could delay, prevent, impede, alter or affect in any way the approval or implementation of several projects, including LAMP.