Only L.A. could spend $1.5 billion to make traffic worse

Authorities scuttled LAX’s terminal expansions after the pandemic. And yet a roadway plan marches on.

- JACOB WASSERMAN GUEST CONTRIBUTOR

GINA FERAZZI Los Angeles Times

TRAFFIC IS bumper to bumper at the LAX terminals as holiday traveling begins on Nov. 25.

WHEN MILLIONS of people come to Los Angeles for the World Cup, Olympics and Paralympics, their first taste of the city will probably be the infuriating congestion of LAX.

Now, do we want to treat our guests—and ultimately ourselves — to an even worse welcome: a half-finished, $1.5-billion roadway project at LAX that will only end up making traffic more gridlocked?

Whether you are crawling along in holiday traffic — achingly close to the terminal just hoping you'll make the flight — or are making your daily commute to work at the airport and the many businesses that surround it, the approach roads to LAX are already one of Angelenos’ least favorite places. Now, LAX’s board has approved what they call a “modernization” project to reroute and expand the roads leading into the airport’s infamous “horseshoe.” This project isn’t scheduled to be completed before the 2028 Olympics. And what’s more, it won't fix traffic at the airport — it will only make it worse.