Dulles Airport Tunnels
New landside, airside facilities enhance travel and accommodate growth
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority
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United States
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2001-2008
58,000 feet of tunnels
Automated people-mover system
US$3.4 billion development program
Challenges
- The Dulles Development Program needed a network of tunnels for new, upgraded systems: an automated people mover (APM), a pedestrian tunnel, utility tunnels, underground baggage conveyors, and roads for airport tugs.
- Adjacent airport operations and construction were successfully performed concurrently requiring multistaged construction sequencing.
- Following the events of September 11, 2001, construction plans were reevaluated to reflect affected passenger figures and enhanced security requirements.
- A second project phase was initiated following a reassessment of infrastructure requirements. Many specialist subconsultants were involved to complete the design of a pedestrian tunnel extension and other tunnels, including a covered baggage conveyor system with all necessary linkages.
Solutions
- Detail design and design management was provided for the APM, baggage, and tug tunnels. Our scope included detailed design for the tunnels and associated structures, mechanical/electrical systems, ventilation systems, and the vehicle maintenance facility.
- We led a team, including ten subconsultants, to finish the design of the pedestrian tunnel extension—the 2,800-foot-long, twin-35-foot-diameter, tunnel-boring-machine tunnels that link to a baggage conveyor tunnel; and a 2,400-foot-long extension of the west APM twin tunnels.
- Tunnel designs were developed with special attention to fire and life safety.
Highlights
- 58,000 feet of tunnels bored, ranging from 18-foot diameters created by tunnel-boring machines, to 40-foot-wide New Austrian Tunneling Method caverns.
- Ground conditions consisted of siltstone overlaid by weathered rock and residual soils.
- Tunnels were constructed in the airport operating area under taxiways that remained operational throughout.
- Eight stations and a maintenance facility for the APMs were constructed.
Project numbers
Phase 1: US$450 million construction costPhase 2: US$300 million construction cost
1,875-foot-long, 40-foot-wide, pedestrian-tunnel extension
700-foot-long, cut-and-cover baggage-conveyor tunnel