Los Angeles International Airport has long been defined by its infamous “horseshoe” loop, a traffic bottleneck that can turn a simple pickup into a prolonged ordeal. Now, after seven years of delays, construction, and more delays, the city is still betting on its innovative solution: the Automated People Mover, or APM.
Originally expected to open in 2023, the system is now projected to begin operations in the second half of 2026. Construction was largely completed as of December 2025, but ongoing disputes over maintenance responsibilities and final testing have delayed its launch. At one point, the project was reportedly 95 percent complete, yet still unable to open. Currently, the APM is conducting testing without passengers, a promising sign that it will launch before 2027.
Despite the frequent setbacks, the APM remains central to Los Angeles’ efforts to tackle congestion, especially ahead of the influx of tourism during the 2028 Olympics. According to Los Angeles World Airports, the system is expected to carry around 30 million passengers annually and reduce car traffic near the airport by an estimated 117,000 vehicles per day.
The system is designed to fundamentally change how travelers move through LAX. It will be free to riders and connect directly to the Metro Transit Center at 96th Street and Aviation Boulevard, linking the airport to the region’s rail and bus network. It will also connect to the Consolidated Rent-a-Car facility, one of the largest concrete structures in the country. Together, these changes aim to pull traffic away from the crowded terminal loop and reduce reliance on cars.
The APM is a key part of a much larger infrastructure push. In a unanimous vote, airport commissioners approved $1 billion for roadway improvements as part of a $30 billion capital program, including plans to reconfigure miles of streets around LAX to better manage traffic flow. The goal is not just to ease congestion at the airport, but to rethink how people access one of the busiest travel hubs in the world.
Taken together, these efforts represent a clear strategy: reduce dependence on cars by investing in faster, more reliable alternatives. If California can pull off its ambitious plans in the coming decade, the state could serve as a model of infrastructure reform in America’s cities.
Beyond LAX, Los Angeles is investing heavily in expanding its transit network to address the region’s broader traffic problem. The D Line extension, which will run toward Beverly Hills, is expected to improve access to one of the city’s busiest corridors. Meanwhile, the proposed Sepulveda Transit Corridor aims to connect the San Fernando Valley to the Westside, cutting through one of the most congested stretches of highway in the country along the 405.
Additional projects, such as the Southeast Gateway light rail line, continue to expand access to underserved areas, signaling a shift toward a more connected and less car-dependent city.
On a larger scale, California is also looking beyond Los Angeles. Projects like Brightline West, a high-speed rail line connecting Southern California to Las Vegas, and the long-developing California High-Speed Rail system reflect a broader effort to rethink transportation across the state.
Taken together, these efforts represent a clear strategy: reduce dependence on cars by investing in faster, more reliable alternatives. If California can pull off its ambitious plans in the coming decade, the state could serve as a model of infrastructure reform in America’s cities.
Still, questions remain about the timing surrounding the APM’s approaching launch. First announced in 2019, construction was supposed to take four years; now, assuming all goes to plan, it is expected to arrive at a critical juncture for California. The APM is already expected to miss the 2026 World Cup in June, but more importantly, the APM will also miss Los Angeles’ mayoral race. This November, a contentious race for California’s next governor will also be decided. This places even greater pressure on Los Angeles to have the system ready before the Olympics in 2028 under potentially new administrations. Two years is a long time, but it also could be a drop in the bucket for such an ambitious and troubled construction project. Now, after seven years of construction and roughly $880 million in cost overruns, the project symbolizes the future of LA, for better or for worse.
While Los Angeles faces its own unique challenges, its approach offers a useful case study. As Philadelphia continues to deal with traffic congestion and growing transit demands, agencies like SEPTA and PennDOT may eventually face similar questions. Expanding rail connections, improving airport access, and investing in long-term infrastructure could play a key role in shaping how the region moves in the future.
You must be logged in to post a comment.