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L.A. city leaders will gather at LAX Monday morning for a ceremony to mark the start of a $1.26-billion expansion-and-refurbishment project at the Tom Bradley International Terminal. <\/p>\n
The work is expected to be completed by mid-2013 and will add two concourses and nine new gates for the next generation of large commercial planes. It also will add 1 million square feet for ticket counters, security checkpoints, passenger lounges and expanded customs and immigration facilities.<\/p>\n
Stores and restaurants will occupy a central area.<\/p>\n
Airport officials said the building project will be the most expensive the city has ever undertaken and is expected to employ about 4,000 construction workers. The Bradley terminal has not undergone major improvements since the 1984 Summer Olympics.<\/p>\n
The aging airport has often received poor-to-average marks in surveys of\u00a0passengers and airlines.<\/p>\n
Among those scheduled to attend the 10 a.m. ceremony are Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa and council members Bill Rosendahl, Janice Hahn and Tom LaBonge.<\/p>\n
[Updated at 10:20 a.m.:<\/strong> A previous version of this post\u00a0stated the project’s cost was $1.26 million. It is $1.26 billion.]<\/p>\n — Jeff Gottlieb<\/p>\n Photo: A bust of the late Tom Bradley is located in front of the LAX international terminal named for the former mayor. Credit: Mel Melcon \/ Los Angeles Times<\/em><\/p>\n \nMore breaking news in L.A. Now:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Pit bull attack has Echo Park dog owners taking up arms<\/a><\/p>\n LAPD investigates home invasion robbery at Woodland Hills house used by rap label<\/a><\/p>\n Two LAPD officers slightly injured in South L.A. squad car crash<\/a><\/p>\n