Travelers at Los Angeles International Airport could experience flight delays beginning in March thanks to a $25.2 million construction project that will require rolling closures of the airport’s runways.
The city’s Airport Commission approved a contract Thursday for the three- year construction project, which will make upgrades to the Runway Safety Areas at the ends of each of the airport’s runways, according to Los Angeles World Airports. The safety areas provide a buffer zone in case a plane overshoots or veers off a runway while taking off or landing.
The improvements to the safety areas are being mandated by the federal government, according to LAWA.
At LAX, improvements will be made on the two north airfield runways and Runway 7L-25R on the south airfield. Only minor improvements are needed on Runway 7R-25L on the south airfield, LAWA officials said.
According to LAWA, the work will require phased runway closures, meaning passengers could experience delays or increased wait times aboard aircraft. The construction work is expected to begin in March and continue through June 2018.
The runway safety work has already been completed at LA/Ontario International Airport and Van Nuys Airport, according to LAWA.
