This morning, I was at LAX to proudly unveil the $737 million Bradley Terminal renovation project that has improved passenger convenience and safety. With the efforts of Councilmembers Rosendahl, Hahn and Labonge, and the tireless work of our Airport Commission and LAWA, this project was realized on time and under budget.
These renovations were designed to make traveling through the terminal safer, faster and more convenient to passengers. The significant changes are expected to help LAX retain its competitiveness as the premier West Coast international gateway.
The project included major interior renovations to airline check-in and passenger arrival lobbies; customs arrivals hall and new high-capacity baggage carousels; arrivals corridors, restrooms and boarding gates. This terminal also has a state of the art inline-baggage security system, thanks to a $100 million contribution from the Transportation Security Administration. As the top terrorist target on the West Coast, LAX must also be on the forefront of security measures.
I'm also proud to share that this renovation will result in a 20% savings in energy use, a 24% savings in water use. Upon completion of the project, the U.S. Green Building Council awarded the revitalized terminal its prestigious Silver LEED-EB (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-Existing Building) Certification - the first-ever award for a renovation project at a U.S. airport!
Our City has been challenged like never before by the effects of the global recession; we need the kind of boost that this modernization project will give us. Already, the airport generates billions of dollars a day in economic impact from international air travelers, and this project will attract even more visitors to experience our world-class city. Combined with the $1.26 billion Bradley West project, I am certain modernizing the Bradley Terminal will reinvent our international gateway to Southern California.