DFW Automated People Mover

The $846 million Automated People Mover System (APM) is designed to connect terminals throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. The bi-directional, elevated, dual guideway spans approximately five miles and transports 8,500 passengers per hour in each direction. Kiewit constructed a $23 million portion of the project, which involved 6,000 feet of elevated guideway, substructures and superstructures.

Construction began with installation of 129 precast columns and associated cast-in-place footings. Columns and caps were placed and post-tensioned with five- to 22-strand tendons. The superstructure consists of two 3,000-foot-long sections containing 220,000 square feet of cast-in-place deck, varying from an 18-foot single-span to a 36-foot double-span width. Additionally, precast pieces weighing 18 to 100 tons are supported by precast concrete Type IV and U-shape tub-girders and 54-inch concrete I-beams. The final step involved placing a 10-inch-thick concrete deck, which serves as the foundation for running rails.

Due to the close proximity of planes and terminal structures, construction was primarily performed at night, with columns and bents being precast, before post-tensioned into position. Day operations were especially sensitive with ground support crews working directly below the work area.