Mexico City New International Airport - APM tunnel

Project description

During the design phase of the project a new masterplan was issued by the client due to the increase in the air traffic forecast. This new masterplan requires the first satellite building to be operational in 2030 including an APM connection with the main building. The purpose of this study was to check the feasibility of building the tunnel on an operational airside. For the feasible solution the construction method and phasing has been analysed to study the impact on airport operations.

The construction phasing and the impact on the design of the APM tunnel and the connection to the terminal and satellite buildings and the transition from the tunnel to the aprons are challenging due to the soft soil conditions, heavy airplane loads crossing the tunnels and severe seismic conditions. 

 Scope of work

TEC was sub consultant to NACO for the NAICM project and responsible for the APM tunnel design including a construction phasing that would be appropriate for the tunnel operation and would address complicated connections to other new and to existing structures, considering the challenging ground and seismic conditions. 

Amongst others TEC defined the minimum required construction space and phasing. NACO looked at the operational aspect (aircraft stand demand and aircraft routing). After an iterative process, this resulted in two main scenarios. These scenarios were further developed for detailed tunnel segment construction planning, operational clearances and taxiway routing scenarios, construction traffic access, availability for construction site offices/lay down areas and cost implications. A final check on stand availability of aircraft stands and the requested aircraft stand demand was performed. The outcome were two realistic construction scenarios for the APM tunnel construction in an operational airport situation. The financial, operational and construction time impact were identified for client decision-making.