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Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa was joined by airport and airline officials in a ceremony to break ground on a long- awaited major renovation of the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

The $575.6- million project is the largest in city history and is expected to help LAX retain its competitiveness as the premier West Coast international gateway, especially to the fast growing Asia-Pacific Region. Because construction work will be performed while the terminal is fully operational, project is also considered one of the most complex among U.S. airports. This is first major upgrade to LAX terminals since 1984 when the one-million-square foot TBIT was originally built.

Renovations include the addition of 45,000 sq. ft. to house the $140-million, in-line baggage security screening facility with latest generation explosive detection technology for increased efficiency and through-put. The new system will eliminate the need for passengers to wait in line with luggage for screening and reduce congestion by removing the oversized machines in check-in lobbies.

A second gate to accommodate new generation jets -- Airbus 380 and Boeing 747-800 -- will be added, along with four new "mega" airline lounges to replace 16 individual ones and significantly expand overall lounge space 72 percent to 47,000 square feet.

The project is the first at LAX to apply sustainable "green" building measures, including 75 percent of construction and demolition waste will be recycled or salvaged, and design features several local and sustainable building materials and finishes.

The renovations are scheduled to be completed by March 2010. It will be funded by several sources, including passenger facility charges, airline reimbursements, federal grants, and airport revenues. No monies from City's general funds will be used.

More than 30 airlines at TBIT served nine million international travelers in 2006, 53 percent of LAX's overall 16.9 million international passenger volume. Total passenger volume last year was 61,041,066. LAX is fifth busiest airport in world.