Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
LAX’s People Mover Train Is Getting An Extra $200M To Keep It On Track
A rendering of the finished automated people mover passing Theme Building at LAX.
(
Courtesy Los Angeles World Airports
)
LAX’s Automated People Mover train is getting an injection of cash, bringing its budget to a whopping $2.9 billion.
The Board of Airport Commissioners unanimously approved an additional $200 million on Thursday.
What will the money be used for?
The funds are expected to settle a variety of disputed claims brought by the project’s contractor, LAX Integrated Express Solutions (LINXS). The money comes from the LAX Revenue Fund, which is where all the airport’s fees, charges and other sources of revenue go.
Support for LAist comes from
The claims include disagreements over the project’s timeline, technology access and compensation, as LAist reported. The situation prompted a major bond rating agency to describe LAWA and LINXS’s relationship as “strained.”
It’s not clear yet which claims the funds could resolve, but the May board report stated it would be used toward a potential settlement.
“Recent discussions have turned toward negotiating a potential global settlement for all outstanding relief event claims and an appropriate extension of time to complete the project,” according to the report.
A LAWA representative told LAist in a statement they are continuing “active discussions” with the contractor to address outstanding claims.
OK, but when is it opening?
That’s the million-dollar question.
Support for LAist comes from
According to the board report, the two parties are still negotiating “in good faith,” but it doesn’t specify over what.
LINXS deferred our timeline questions to LAWA. The spokesperson did not share whether LAWA has agreed to a new timeline yet.
“The outcomes of these discussions will be provided as they become available,” the statement read.
In 2018, when the L.A. City Council first approved the $4.9 billion deal, the train was supposed to open in 2023. Now it’s looking like the train may not open until the end of 2025.
LINXS’s monthly reports shed some light. Its April 15 report listed a new passenger service availability of December 2025. Depending on how negotiations go, it could end up sooner or even later.
The Automated People Mover is more than 96% complete, according to the bond rating agency that’s accessing the project financials.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons Thursday after suddenly shutting down six months ago. -
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
Best of LAist