LAX SkyLink Faces $1.4 Billion Cost Overrun Amid Electrical Faults

Councilmember Nithya Raman challenged Mayor Karen Bass over the financial status and timeline of the LAX SkyLink, a project that has exceeded its budget by approximately $1.4 billion. Raman cited a report from the Los Angeles Times that attributes delays to a dispute between Los Angeles World Airports and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power regarding the use of solar power to operate the train. Speaking one day after a poll showed the two candidates in a statistical tie, Raman argued that the incumbent has not acted decisively to resolve the interdepartmental conflict.

"The opening keeps getting moved back, the opening keeps getting moved back, and Angelenos have every right to doubt the next date they are given," Raman said. She further stated, "If her own departments can’t resolve a disagreement holding up a multi-billion dollar project .. Where is the Mayor? She is once again missing in action."

Mayor Bass responded by noting that the project was approved and initiated during the administration of former Mayor Eric Garcetti. She acknowledged disagreements among private contractors and cited safety concerns as primary factors for the delays. Bass indicated that the system should be ready for operation by the start of the year, warning that contractors would face severe financial penalties if that deadline was missed. "We obviously don't want people on the people mover until we are guaranteed that it is safe," she said.

Newly released footage from late September shows electrical explosions occurring along the tracks. An October report from LINXS, the project contractor, confirmed three arc flashes on September 23 and September 25. A fact sheet from Los Angeles World Airports stated that such flashes are common during testing and that the identified issues have been repaired. The system must complete 30 consecutive days of successful testing to advance in the safety certification process.

Marshal McClain, president of the LAX police union, expressed concern that airport management is not placing sufficient emphasis on operational safety. "We don't feel like the management of the airport is taking enough account of the safety of the operation of the SkyLink," McClain said. The contractor has also filed a lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles, citing safety-related delays and disputes over solar power usage.

The automated train system is designed to connect LAX terminals with Metro, eliminating the need for shuttle buses or private vehicles for passenger transport. The project was originally scheduled for completion in 2023 but has been postponed multiple times. The current target for opening is February 2027.