Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport expands concourse D with modular builds to avoid disrupting daily travel

Credit: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) the world’s busiest, handles nearly 300,000 passengers a day and is within a two-hour flight of 80% of the U.S. population. Concourse D, built in 1980 with corridors just over 5 metres (18 feet) wide, required modernisation to meet growing demand.

Details on Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport expansion of concourse D 

With closure not an option, Mammoet worked early with the Holder-Moody-Bryson-Sovereign joint venture to devise a minimally disruptive strategy. The chosen solution: offsite prefabrication and overnight installation of modules using Self-Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMTs).

According to the phased schedule, modules were delivered weekly between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m. In phase two, the pace doubled with two modules moved per week. The heaviest unit weighed 694.45 tonnes and required 92 axle-lines of SPMT for its journey, which spanned more than a mile to the site.

To position the modules precisely, eighteen 300-tonne climbing jacks were employed. These jacks “climb” by layering jacking timbers, lifting or lowering modules gradually—crucial for placing the structures at a lower elevation than their arrival point, beyond the SPMT’s lowering capability.

“Constructing modular elements offsite and transporting them securely enables normal airport operations to continue, while boosting scheduling efficiency,” said Mammoet.

Once completed, the project will add over 87 metres (288 feet) to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport’s Concourse D, significantly increasing space for passengers and retail, and allowing accommodation of larger-capacity aircraft.

This innovative approach highlights the benefits of modular construction in complex aviation environments, allowing Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to evolve without compromising its daily operations.

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