That giant space shuttle fuel tank? It could delay your drive to LAX on Saturday

Travelers heading to Los Angeles International Airport on Saturday may be delayed by something almost out of this world: a giant orange space shuttle tank known as ET-94.

The shuttle tank will make a 5 mph journey from Marina del Rey to the California Science Center in Los Angeles, where it will be united with the Endeavour, creating the only complete shuttle exhibit in the world.

But the tank’s 16.5-mile morning journey could create headaches for people going to and from the airport -- particularly those coming from the north -- because of street closures between 5 and 9 a.m., an LAX statement says.

Closures expected to occur during the time window include the intersections of Culver and Lincoln boulevards, Lincoln and Loyola boulevards, and Loyola Boulevard and Westchester Parkway, an LAX statement says.

The fuel tank is expected to cross Sepulveda Boulevard between 6:30 and 7:30 a.m.

Drivers coming from the north should allow extra time for the drive and consider these alternate routes to LAX:

--Take the 405 Freeway south, go west on Manchester Boulevard and south on Sepulveda Boulevard.

--Take the 405 Freeway south and then head west on Century Boulevard.

--Go west on the 105 Freeway and then north on Sepulveda Boulevard.

--Go south on Pershing Drive, east on Imperial Highway and then north on Sepulveda Boulevard.

You can follow ET-94’s journey on Twitter at @casciencecenter. LAX will tweet real-time traffic updates on @LAAirportPD, @flyLAXairport and @LAX_Community.

For trips to LAX anytime, officials recommend passengers arrive at the airport at least two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights.

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