Delta Sky Way at LAX
Award
Structural Engineering Project
Description
The Delta Sky Way project at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) involved the consolidation and modernization of Terminals 2 and 3 into one holistic operation with shared landside and airside services and a uniform customer experience. One of the largest infrastructure projects in Los Angeles, the project achieved increased capacity for both passengers and aircraft.
The redevelopment included 680,000 square feet of new and retrofitted construction. All existing Terminal 3 buildings, except the 1958 satellite building, were demolished and rebuilt completely new to create an enhanced customer journey from curb to gate, including more automated security lanes, increased gate seating, and state of the art concession areas. The added Tom Bradley International Terminal connector closes the gap between Terminal 3 and the international terminal, providing a final link on the airside that eliminates the need for passenger bus transportation between terminals. The Terminal 3 satellite building was seismically retrofitted and expanded to meet current airport standards. Reuse of the satellite halved the embodied carbon of this portion in contrast to new construction. All Terminal 2 buildings were retrofitted selectively to meet the requirements of the existing building code and to fit with Delta’s brand at LAX.
Arup delivered over 30 multidisciplinary phases, including 8 major structural building permit packages and 10 structural enabling packages, to keep Delta Air Lines operational during construction. The reduction in traffic during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 allowed Arup, Delta, and the contractor to pivot to accelerated construction phasing. This acceleration required agile re-design of several areas and allowed work to complete 18 months ahead of schedule.
Arup is the civil, structural and MEP engineer of record and the prime consultant for Delta Air Lines, leading multiple firms and providing a full suite of multidisciplinary engineering, planning, design, and consulting services. Gensler joined the Arup team, providing architectural design, and Hensel Phelps was the general contractor. Saiful Bouquet worked with Arup’s structural team as our associate partner with particular focus on the Terminal 3 concourse and satellite retrofit.
Branch
