LAX Launches $323 Million Roadway Overhaul to Transform Traffic Flow for Inglewood Residents

Los Angeles World Airports has launched a $323 million roadway overhaul at LAX that will fundamentally transform traffic flow for Inglewood residents and the millions of travelers who pass through the region’s busiest airport.

The Airfield and Terminal Modernization Project will add 4.4 miles of new roadways as part of a comprehensive redesign of the central terminal area’s traffic flow system, with construction continuing through 2030. Construction firms Skanska and FlatironDragados are leading the massive infrastructure effort.

For Inglewood residents who navigate the area daily, the changes will be significant. The project includes new ramps, flyovers, and pedestrian bridges at key Sepulveda Boulevard intersections with Century Boulevard and 96th Street. Vehicle access to the airport will shift to a new entry point at Sepulveda and 96th Street, moving traffic to the airport’s east side.

According to Los Angeles World Airports, the completed improvements will remove over 500 cars from Sepulveda Boulevard at any given time by separating airport-bound vehicles from local traffic. This redesign addresses one of the most persistent traffic challenges facing Inglewood and neighboring communities.

“These future roadway improvements will significantly reduce traffic congestion by separating airport-bound vehicles from local traffic along Sepulveda Boulevard, enhancing the flow of vehicles both within and around the airport,” LAWA officials stated.

The project comes with visible changes to iconic landmarks. The famous LAX monument sign, currently positioned in the median between World Way and Century Boulevard, will be relocated as part of the overhaul. The removal process is anticipated to take about one week, with work proceeding at two nights per letter.

Additionally, the airport’s distinctive 100-foot light pylons from artist Paul Tzanetopoulos’s installation will be replaced as the roadways are reconfigured and upgraded.

LAWA emphasized that while the letters have served as an iconic welcome symbol for decades, moving them is essential to allow for the reconfiguration and upgrade of the surrounding roadways and to ensure smoother and more efficient access to the airport.

The roadway redesign is a key component of LAX’s broader modernization program, which includes plans for two major new terminals: Concourse 0, an extension of Terminal 1, and the new Terminal 9, located east of Sepulveda Boulevard. These expansions will accommodate growing passenger volume while modernizing facilities.

Construction is scheduled to pause during July 2028 to accommodate the Los Angeles Olympic Games, when the airport will serve as a primary gateway for international visitors. The pause ensures smooth operations during the high-profile global event before construction resumes to complete the transformation.

Once complete, the over 4 miles of replaced and reconfigured roadways are projected to dramatically improve traffic flow throughout the Inglewood area, particularly along the heavily congested Sepulveda corridor that connects the 105 and 405 freeways.

The project represents one of the largest infrastructure investments in the region’s transportation network, with direct implications for Inglewood residents’ daily commutes, local business access, and the overall quality of life in communities surrounding the airport.

Residents can expect periodic lane closures and traffic pattern changes as construction progresses over the next five years. LAWA has committed to providing advance notice of major disruptions through its website and community outreach programs.