$6 Million OKd to Study Expansion of Airport

Agreeing to continued study of Los Angeles International Airport’s expansion, the City Council approved more than $6.2 million for outside consultants, who will review the proposal over the next three years.

Several council members raised concerns about the contracts, however, including Councilman Mike Feuer, who said the price appeared high. Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas said women and minorities should be given full access to subcontracting by the consultants.

But neither councilman has opposed the airport expansion outright, as has their colleague Councilwoman Ruth Galanter, a staunch opponent. She succeeded Wednesday in having the consultants instructed to examine the feasibility of expanding Palmdale Airport as well.

The proposed L.A. airport expansion has become a hot-button issue at City Hall, where Mayor Richard Riordan has endorsed the concept and Galanter has built a solid and varied coalition opposing it. Under the proposal, the airport’s capacity would grow from 60 million passengers a year to 100 million, and about 4 million square feet of cargo space would be added.

But Galanter and other critics say the city should be focusing on a high-speed rail system to the Palmdale Airport instead of directing all efforts toward the L.A. airport. The expansion of the L.A. airport would create undue traffic, noise and pollution in her district, Galanter says.

In addition, officials from some South Bay cities say their areas would be hurt by the LAX expansion and experience few benefits.

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The consultants, who have been studying the airport expansion for the past three years, are expected to examine the proposal’s environmental consequences, including traffic. They will also conduct community outreach efforts.

“This is probably the largest planning process ever undertaken anywhere in the country,” said Jack Driscoll, general manager of the city Department of Airports. “It certainly is the largest the city has ever conducted.”

He said the consultants are necessary because the department does not have the staff or resources.

But Feuer questioned the expense. “Why is this amount of outside work necessary?” he asked. “It’s not that I’m suggesting that none of this is necessary, but $6.2 million of outside contracts?”

Driscoll said his staff is keeping close tabs on the consultants.