Community Corner

More Groups Join the Fight Against LAX Expansion

On the heels of Culver City and Ontario threatening to sue, SEIU United Service Workers West and the Alliance for a Regional Solution to Airport Congestion are joining the fight.

By City News Service

A union representing airport workers and a community group filed lawsuits today in hopes of blocking a planned expansion of the north airfield at Los Angeles International Airport that would shift the northernmost runway 260 feet closer to residents in Westchester and Playa del Rey.

In its lawsuit -- which names Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Los Angeles World Airports and the city -- SEIU United Service Workers West contends the city failed to follow state environmental laws in studying the air pollution, noise and traffic impacts of the plan. The court action demands that a new environmental impact study be conducted.

Spokesman Jacob Hay said the union's members support most of the $4.8 billion plan to modernize LAX, just not the shifting of the northern runways to create a larger taxiway.   

A residents' group known as Alliance for a Regional Solution to Airport Congestion also announced that it has filed a lawsuit challenging environmental studies of the project.

"We have been the strongest advocates for fixing and improving service at LAX,'' according to Denny Schneider, president of the alliance. "This is a sad day for L.A. because some people are willing to ignore reality to further special interests instead of acting responsibly.''   

Airport officials have said the airfield changes are necessary to accommodate larger aircraft, such as the Airbus 380, that can only safely land or take off on the airport's southern runways.   

LAWA Executive Director Gina Marie Lindsey said environmental studies of the project have been "extremely thorough and we trust, that as it is reviewed, it will hold up under scrutiny.''   

Union officials contend the workers they represent are impacted by the project because of the proximity of their jobs to the airfield. Some workers also live in nearby neighborhoods, according to the union.

"We breathe this air day in and day out and so do our families,'' according to Robin Wilson, an LAX passenger service agent and union member.

"We are left with no choice but to file this challenge because we feel the people running LAX have failed time and again to listen to the voices of airport communities and workers,'' she said.

The union is just one of several groups opposing the project approved by the Los Angeles City Council. Culver City and Ontario officials have also vowed to sue over the project.

The plans and environmental findings approved by the council also set the stage for redevelopment of Terminals 1 and 3; construction of a ground transportation center at Manchester Square near Century Boulevard and the San Diego (405) Freeway; an automated people mover that would connect passengers between the ground transportation center and the terminals; and road improvements.


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