Building Up Without Slowing Down: A Turner Case Study

ATL Concourse T-Midpoint Vertical Transportation Expansion

Turner, in joint venture with UJAMAA, provided preconstruction and construction management services for the Concourse T Midpoint Vertical Transportation Expansion at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The project added circulation capacity to accommodate growing demand between Concourse T and the Plane Train station.

The project included new escalators and elevators, and relocation of egress stairs. Work required expanding the existing building, modifying ramp areas, cutting through the existing tunnel lid, and relocating the jet fuel, sanitary, and stormwater systems.

The new concourse features dynamic glass that automatically adjusts tint based on sunlight, temperature, and time of day. The project also incorporated three digital art installations by Refik Anadol, displaying real-time airport operations data in abstract form.

The team overcame challenges that included building an addition and expansion in the busiest part of the world’s busiest airport while keeping passengers, trains, tug lanes, and utilities moving safely. Key constraints included: maintaining Automated Ground Transportation Station (AGTS) service and egress at all times, reconfiguring the tug lanes, installing structure over an active tug lane, and relocating utilities without interrupting airport operations.

Project Planning and Execution

The project team developed a multi-phase, night-shift-friendly plan with clear interior/exterior phasing, passenger-flow diagrams, and vehicular traffic sequencing which kept stakeholders aligned. BIM visuals “painted the picture” of upcoming work and became a planning standard adopted airport-wide.

A Dywidag (high-strength threaded bar for concrete construction) post-tensioned wall system enabled continuous passenger traffic through the AGTS level and reduced the need for extensive bracing. Partitions and careful cut sequencing preserved egress throughout tunnel-lid work.

About 300 feet of fuel lines were rerouted outside the new footprint. Two new 16-inch lines were installed and swapped over in staggered connections, limiting downtime to 4 hours—the airport’s largest fuel-line swap in 20 years.

An 85-foot-long, 5.5-foot-wide escalator with a 30-degree incline was installed into its final location using a single coordinated lift. One end of the escalator was supported by a crane, while the other was guided into position via a structurally designed trolley beam system. This method allowed the project team to complete the installation in one night, reducing what would have been a multi-week operation with multiple picks to a single, efficient lift.

Early structural framing over the active tug lane was scheduled for nights; gas-meter relocation and enabling work were coordinated with the gas company, concessions, airport maintenance, and airlines to keep service uninterrupted.

Achievements of our work included:

·   An estimated 200 million passengers moved safely through work zones over the life of the project. AGTS and egress remained open throughout the project.

·   The project team achieved a one-month-early turnover to meet the Thanksgiving travel demand.

·   Added vertical transportation and expanded waiting areas eased TSA congestion and improved Concourse–AGTS connectivity and passenger flow.