The long-desired rail link to Los Angeles International Airport just took another step towards reality.

Earlier today, the Metro Board of Directors certified the final environmental impact report for the Airport Metro Connector's 96th Street Transit Station, which would connect the Green and Crenshaw/LAX lines to an automated people mover that would serve the LAX central terminal area.

The nearly $600-million project, funded by Measure R and M tax dollars, would would create a multimodal transit center on a 9.5-acre site one mile east of the airport. In addition to the people mover station, the project will include three light rail platforms, a bus plaza, a bicycle hub and passenger pick-up and drop-off areas.

Construction is expected to begin in fiscal year 2018-19 and finish between 2021 and 2023, concurrent with the delivery schedule for the people mover and prior to a potential 2024 Summer Olympic Games.