Airport Tunnel (Los Angeles)
The Airport Tunnel, also known as the Sepulveda Boulevard Tunnel, is a highway tunnel in Los Angeles, carrying Sepulveda Boulevard underneath the two runways (25L/25R) and taxiways on the south side of the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). This section of Sepulveda is a part of California State Route 1. The tunnel was the first tunnel in the United States to run under an airport runway.[2]
.jpg.webp) The northern portal of the Airport Tunnel at night | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Other name(s) | Sepulveda Boulevard Tunnel, Sepulveda Tunnel, LAX Tunnel |
| Location | Los Angeles International Airport, Los Angeles, California |
| Coordinates | 33°56′25″N 118°23′46″W |
| Status | Open |
| Route |  SR 1 / Sepulveda Boulevard |
| Crosses | Runways and taxiways on the south side of Los Angeles International Airport |
| Start | Near .svg.png.webp){kind=small} I-105 |
| End | Near Century Boulevard |
| Operation | |
| Work begun | 1949[1] |
| Opened | 1953 |
| Owner | CalTrans City of Los Angeles |
| Technical | |
| Length | 1,909 feet (582 m) |
| No. of lanes | 6 (3 in each direction) |
| Operating speed | 40 mph |
| Tunnel clearance | 15–15.08 feet (5–5 m) (northbound) 15.17 feet (5 m) (southbound) |
| Width | 80 feet (24 m) |
| Route map | |
| |
In the late-1940s, LAX (then known as Mines Field) was set to have its runways extended. However, Sepulveda Boulevard stood in the way, largely prohibiting the possibility of expansion. Initially, the thoroughfare was rerouted to go around the western end of the runways. In a move to allow Sepulveda Boulevard to return to its original straight-line path, Airport Tunnel was created.[3] The US$3,500,000 of funding for the project was split between a 1945 bond issue and a federal grant. Construction began in October of 1949 and was completed by March of 1953. An opening ceremony was officiated by Mayor Fletcher Bowron and the first 100 motorists to pass through the tunnel received souvenirs.[1] The tunnel was considered experimental at the time, as the concept had never been built before.[3]
Over the years, motorists have complained about the poor lighting in the tunnel being a safety hazard. The lighting system was overhauled in 1965 and was revamped with LED lights in 2012.[1]
Due to exhaust buildup, the tunnel is periodically closed for cleaning.[4]
References
- "Sepulveda Tunnel". South Bay History. December 1, 2011. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
- https://cahighways.org/001-008.html
- "Sepulveda Tunnel Under Los Angeles International Airport". Los Angeles Almanac. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
- "Sepulveda Boulevard Tunnel Near LAX To Partially Close At Night This Week". NBC 4 Los Angeles. June 8, 2020. Retrieved January 17, 2021.