LA, Burbank airports announce light rail, walkway transit projects

BURBANK, Calif. (KABC) -- The future is looking bright for transportation to and from L.A.-area airports. Some major improvements are in the works that will hopefully ease congestion and make traveling a little bit easier.

When you take Metrolink to Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, you have to schlep your luggage from the platform to the terminals. But soon passengers will get a lift on a moving walkway through the new Regional Intermodal Transportation Center.

Friday, the airport will unveil its $112-million project, under construction for two years. The three-level structure also includes a new rental car area that houses 11 car companies and 1,000 vehicles. The old area had only six companies and space for 283 cars.

Meantime, The Metropolitan Transportation Authority board has announced plans to build a people-mover to LAX. A light-rail station would be built at 96th Street and Aviation Boulevard along the Crenshaw/LAX line, which opens in 2019.

The Green Line from downtown L.A. ends 2 miles before LAX. Passengers have to take a shuttle bus the rest of the way. People who take trains to and from other airports in the U.S. welcome more public transit options at Southern California airports.