Last week, the Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners (BOAC) took another major step in transforming Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), approving a contract amendment with Hensel Phelps Construction Co. With a new total project value of $308 million, this milestone launches the construction phase of the Central Terminal Area (CTA) Curbside Improvement Program, a key effort to modernize LAX and deliver a safer and more efficient travel experience.
The project will reimagine the LAX curbside experience into a modern and cohesive appearance that is distinctly “Los Angeles,” reflecting the city’s energy and culture. Improvements will include upgraded roadways and crosswalks, enhanced pedestrian safety, additional seating and new benches to create a more comfortable and accessible experience for travelers.
“This next phase of LAX’s transformation represents far more than infrastructure, it’s about creating a first and last impression of Los Angeles that is welcoming, inspiring and unmistakably reflective of our city’s character,” said Hans Thilenius, Deputy Executive Director, Terminal Development and Improvement Program, LAWA. “The improvements will elevate how travelers experience LAX, aligning with the broader transformation already underway at and around our airport.”
The Curbside Improvement Program advances LAWA’s new identity narrative to “put the ‘L.A.’ in LAX” by embodying the vision of transforming LAX from a point of transit into a world-class destination. Complementing these infrastructure upgrades, refreshed lighting, updated façades, and improved landscaping, including the addition of palm trees and other low-maintenance greenery, will bring warmth and visual continuity to the airport’s arrival and departure areas. The project also includes revitalized lighting for the iconic Theme Building and the air traffic control tower, reinforcing LAX’s identity as a world gateway rooted in the unique spirit of Southern California.
This effort builds upon years of planning and design, following earlier contract phases approved in 2023 and 2024. With this third amendment, LAWA and Hensel Phelps move from design and preconstruction into full-scale construction, ensuring that the project supports the new LAX arrival and departure sequence and complements the airport’s evolving landside access system.
In alignment with LAWA’s commitment to inclusivity and local impact, the project incorporates significant participation goals for local and small businesses, including 20% Small Business Enterprise (SBE), 10% Local Business Enterprise (LBE) and 5% Local Small Business Enterprise (LSBE). These goals ensure that the transformation of LAX continues to generate economic opportunity and workforce development across the Los Angeles region.
