ENR California’s Owner of the Year for 2012 – Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) – has been very busy these last couple of years in what can be described as a massive undertaking: Los Angeles International Airport’s multi-billion capital improvement program.

The Owner of the Year selection is based on a variety of criteria, including volume of work in a region; economic, social and environmental success; setting high standards for worker safety; advocating and adopting innovative construction methods; and use of progressive project methods.


LAWA is overseeing seven projects currently under way, including the $1.7-billion LAX Bradley West International Terminal Expansion, which is scheduled for completion next year. According to LAWA, this is considered the largest public works project in the history of the city of Los Angeles, creating nearly 40,000 construction-related jobs over the course of its four-year schedule.


It also broke ground last year on the new $438-million Central Utility Plant replacement project, set for an August 2014 completion. Both projects are following LAWA’s Sustainable Design and Construction Guidelines and are seeking LEED silver certification.


Other LAWA projects under way include:
  • Elevator, Escalator and Moving Walkway Modernization, a $270-million project updating 212 systems at LAX (completion 2016)
  • In-Line Baggage Handling and Screening System Program, a $613-million ongoing update at all terminals
  • Terminal 5 Renovation, a $229-million modernization project that broke ground last year and scheduled for a 2015 completion
  • Terminal 6 Renovation, a $271-million modernization project that also broke ground last year and scheduled for completion this summer
  • Runway Status Light Project, a $7-million upgrading of runway lights
We’ll cover our Owner of the Year in much more depth in the April 9 issue, so stay tuned.

Attention Design Firms: Our annual Top Design Firms in California ranking is currently taking submissions. Click here for a survey form.

On June 4, ENR California will publish its annual rankings of Top Design Firms (including consultants, architects, engineers and other design professionals) doing business in California. To ensure that your company receives recognition for its accomplishments in 2011, please submit this survey by March 26.


IMPORTANT NOTE:
The ENR Top 400 Contractors and Top 500 Design Firms national lists each have a separate survey. For these surveys, please visit enr.construction.com/toplists.