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SUGGESTED COVERAGE: LAX Terminal 5 pedestrian bridge removal begins
Demolition of a pedestrian bridge outside Terminal 5 will result in overnight lane closures in the Los Angeles International Airport terminal area starting Tuesday evening and continuing through Sunday.
LOS ANGELES - The face of Los Angeles International Airport is undergoing a dramatic shift as crews have dismantled the iconic ring of illuminated pylons that have defined its entrance for a quarter-century.
What we know:
The signature ring of 15 illuminated pylons that has welcomed travelers to LAX since 2000 was removed earlier this week.
These structures, which range from 25 to 100 feet in height, are being cleared for the Airfield and Terminal Modernization Program Roadway Improvements Project.
SUGGESTED: LAX pedestrian bridge demolition brings overnight closures and detours through the weekend
The initiative will reconfigure over four miles of roads to separate airport traffic from local streets, a move officials say will significantly reduce the notorious gridlock around the Century Boulevard entrance.
What they're saying:
Michael Christensen, Chief Airport Development Officer for LAWA, reflected on the impact of the structures while looking toward the future.
"Since their installation in 2000, the iconic LAX pylons have stood as a vibrant symbol of LAX and Los Angeles, welcoming more than 1.2 billion visitors from around the world. As part of the roadway modernization project, we have a unique opportunity to reimagine their design during this exciting new chapter in LAX's transformation."
Timeline:
Early January 2026: Removal of the remaining 15 pylons begins.
Pre-2028: Anticipated completion of the new elevated ingress (entry) roadways before the Olympic Games.
2030: Expected full completion of egress (exit) roadways and the modernized roadway system.
Big picture view:
The removal of these landmarks is part of a broader multi-billion dollar transformation of LAX.
By creating elevated roadway systems to streamline routes, the airport aims to improve safety and accessibility for the millions of travelers expected to visit the city for the 2028 Olympics and beyond.
While the original pylons are coming down, officials view this as a chance to update the "visual gateway" of the city to match the airport's modern terminal and people-mover upgrades.
The Source: This report is based on official project announcements and a formal statement from Michael Christensen, the Chief Airport Development Officer for Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA).