Los Angeles Grapples with Infrastructure Gaps Ahead of 2028 Olympics

As the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games approach, Los Angeles faces major challenges in transit, housing and public services, highlighted by recent infrastructure failures.

A recent water-main rupture in West Hollywood, which created a sinkhole on Sunset Boulevard and halted traffic for ten days, highlighted Los Angeles’ vulnerability to large-scale events. The 2024 FIFA World Cup, which attracted more than half a million spectators, served as a stress test for the city’s ability to host global crowds, but the upcoming 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games will involve roughly five million visitors and over 15,000 athletes.

Transportation remains a weak point, with only one major airport and a rail system that moves about a million passengers daily, far below Paris’s capacity. Although a $120 billion, 40-year transit plan is underway, many components, such as the SkyLink people mover at LAX, have faced delays. Homelessness has risen again, exceeding 45,000 people, adding social pressure. Hotel operators anticipate a 40-80 percent price jump and a need for tens of thousands of additional workers, while LA28 expects to generate about $1 billion in profit after a projected $7 billion cost.