As the anticipation builds for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, there's a flurry of activity behind the scenes to ensure seamless transportation for athletes, spectators, and stakeholders. Recently, the April event for the Southern California Development Forum (SCDF), held at the Biltmore Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles, delved into the intricacies of this topic. The event panel was moderated by Tony Fermelia of HNTB and featured experts Jake Adams, Deputy Executive Director at LAWA; Aaron Galinis, Senior Airport Planner at Hollywood Burbank Airport; and Ernesto Chaves from LA Metro. 

Change is Coming at LAX 

Jake Adams opened the discussion by highlighting the monumental task of preparing Los Angeles for the 2028 games. He emphasized the urgency to complete crucial projects, such as the people mover and metro connections, at LAX before the Olympics kick off.  

“We see this as a transformative opportunity for transportation in LA,” Adams shared. “Several exciting changes are underway at LAX that will make our transport systems better and more sustainable including the landscaping program we were just awarded—it’ll help us look less like a construction site!” 

The LAWA team is also focused on increasing the number of off-ramps and hold points to segregate airport traffic from street traffic. Adams shared that his team is enhancing signage and wayfinding programs to accommodate the influx of international visitors as well. 

Streamlining Air Travel into Burbank 

With hundreds of thousands of tourists expected to make their way to the city of angels, the replacement of Hollywood Burbank Airport’s aging 94-year-old terminal is critical.  

"There are many reasons to replace this terminal, but safety is paramount. Doing all of this before 2028 will be tough but I'm happy to say we're on schedule and plan to open in 2026," Galinis said. 

He cited the Superbowl LVI as a learning moment for the airport and outlined plans for the new terminal, located in the airport’s northeast quadrant, which is set to open in 2026.Through temporary emergency operations centers, the Hollywood Burbank Airport team will manage corporate aviation and facilitate smooth ground transport operations for tourists and locals alike. 

Ground Transportation's Pivotal Role 

Ernesto Chaves from LA Metro underscored the pivotal role of surface transportation during the Olympics, with a staggering 1.2 million anticipated daily transit trips. 

“Spectators won’t be able to stay in LA proper because hotels will be booked up by the Olympic Games ‘family’—the athletes, referees, media, and other people involved in the games,” Chaves noted. “So, we intend to bring spectators from Orange County, Pomona, Carson, and elsewhere into the Los Angeles area so they can enjoy games and have reliable ground transportation that gets them there.” 

At Sofi Stadium, for example, the stadium’s thousands of parking spaces will not be used for spectator parking. Instead, the spaces will house security for the games. LA Metro plans to double the bus fleet, coordinating with transit agencies across the state and country in order to do so. As the Paris 2024 Olympics approach, Chaves’s team is in close communication with their Paris partner IDFM, discussing what they’re seeing and what will translate to the 2028 Los Angeles games. 

Preparing for the Paralympics 

After the Olympic Games comes the Paralympic Games. LAWA, the Hollywood Burbank Airport, and LA Metro are preparing to further make their facilities accessible. For instance, Adams shared that LAWA is building temporary spaces tailored to the needs of Paralympic athletes. In Burbank, Galinis’s team is prioritizing universal access in the build of their new terminal and LA Metro is focused on addressing much needed accessibility upgrades at stations across all lines. 

Building a Legacy 

As the countdown to 2028 continues, collaboration, innovation, and adaptability will be paramount in ensuring a transportation system that not only meets the demands of the Olympics but leaves a lasting legacy for the city of Los Angeles. With a clear roadmap and unwavering determination, Adams, Galinis, and Chaves believe that LA is poised to deliver a transportation experience worthy of Olympic excellence.