The LAX Automated People Mover, already years behind schedule, hit another snag in September. The project had multiple electrical arc blast incidents last month, according to a report obtained by ABC7 Los Angeles and its 7 On Your Side Investigates team.
What the report says
The report was prepared for project lenders by infrastructure advisory firm Infrata, ABC7 reported. It describes four incidents.
"Arc blast incidents occurred at three locations on the Guideway on September 23, and a fourth occurred on September 25," the report says, according to ABC7. "The cause is unknown and investigations are ongoing. The power rail and guide beam were damaged."
An expert's view
ABC7 asked Tim Borchers, a transportation and railroad expert with more than 40 years of experience in rail transit engineering, to explain what an arc blast is.
"Commonly in the industry, we call that a flash over," Borchers said. Asked whether that is another word for an explosion, he said, "It's an electrical explosion. Yes, I would call it an uncontrolled electrical explosion."
He called the number of incidents unusual. "Four arc flash overs or arc blasts is unprecedented," Borchers said.
"Is it serious? Yes. Could it cause a fire if the vehicle is running over the top of it? Yes, a very good chance of causing a fire," he told the station.
The contractor and the airport respond
LINXS, the contractor behind the People Mover project, said the incidents involved only a limited section of the system.
"Recently, incidents occurred involving an electrical arc flash that affected a few feet of power rail. This was not related to the power distribution, and there is no defect in the installed electrical system. There was also no damage to the passenger vehicles, and the system responded as designed," LINXS said in a statement to ABC7.
An LAX official told ABC7 the source of the arc blasts is still under investigation, but the contractor has repaired the issues related to the incidents and testing has resumed.
"Job one for us right now is making sure the train is safe and reliable before it carries passengers," the airport said in a statement. "Routine testing is currently underway, helping us identify and address any issues before passenger service begins."
Years behind schedule
The People Mover was first unveiled in 2019, ABC7 noted. Seven years later, the system still hasn't carried a single passenger. When the project began, the target opening date was 2023. The opening has now been pushed into 2027.
ABC7's report did not say what caused the arc blasts, how much the repairs cost, or whether the incidents will affect the 2027 opening date. Those are questions that could come up as the investigation continues.
Why it matters for contractors
Arc flash isn't just a transit problem. It is one of the most serious hazards on any job with energized electrical equipment, from commercial switchgear to industrial power systems. Borchers' warning that an arc blast under a moving vehicle could have "a very good chance of causing a fire" is a reminder of how much is at stake when high-power systems are tested and put into service.
For electrical contractors, the LAX incidents underline the importance of arc flash studies, proper personal protective equipment, labeling, lockout/tagout procedures and careful commissioning. When investigators don't yet know the cause, as is the case here, every step of installation and testing can come under scrutiny.
The story also shows what's at risk on large public-private projects. Delays on a high-profile job like the People Mover draw attention from lenders, advisers and the press. Infrata's report was written for the project's lenders, and it ended up in the news. Contractors working on financed infrastructure should assume that problems reported to owners and lenders may eventually become public.
Finally, the People Mover is a cautionary tale about schedules. A project targeted for 2023 is now looking at 2027. For subs and suppliers, long delays mean extended general conditions, crews tied up longer than planned and claims that can take years to resolve. Clear documentation from day one is the best protection.