The redevelopment of Los Angeles International Airport’s Terminals 7 and 8 entailed revitalizing virtually all systems and public spaces and constructing a 20,000-sq-ft lounge, all while maintaining full airport operations. Work on the terminals, which were last upgraded in 1998, expanded the check-in lobby, maximized the use of natural light and added state-of-the-art self-service tools, including check-in kiosks with a designated bag-drop zone. Passengers who check in online can exit their vehicles at the curb and proceed directly to the security checkpoint via a shorter, more efficient route, resulting from the consolidation of four locations to just one that features 12 lanes.

With the two terminals serving 139 flights and more than 15,000 passengers per day, team members developed meticulous micro-phases throughout construction and communicated plans to multiple stakeholders during weekly meetings, resulting in completion of 140 phased turnovers. Each phase placed particular emphasis on establishing paths of travel, creating workzone barricades and maintaining building systems.

The airport continued operations while an average of 300 craftspeople operated throughout the terminals. Crews were asked to change their mindset: “Think like an airline, not like a contractor.” Plans sought to make passengers and employees unaware that they were in a construction zone, even though major renovation tasks were occurring all around them.

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