PORT OF MIAMI TUNNELS

Abstract

Bouygues Travaux Publics has been appointed by the FloridaDepartment of Transportation to design and build the first twolarge tunnels in the Byscayne Bay, an area well known for itsparticularly challenging ground conditions. After having dealtwith more than 40 different environmental permits, BouyguesTravaux Publics implemented a panel of innovative techniques toovercome the various challenges of the Project, among which thelateral supports for the required deep excavations, the groundtreatments necessary for the tunnel boring machine (TBM)operations, the launching and retrieval of the TBM and the TBMoperations modes. In addition, the various specifications of theProject lead to develop a unique concrete mix to comply with the150 years durability requirements, to install a passive fireprotection system, and coordinate the tunnel systems andoperations with the relevant authorities and emergency servicesin order to build and operate these tunnels in a safe and reliableenvironment. In the specific legal and normative context of theState of Florida, Bouygues Travaux Publics is currentlycompleting a tunneling project, which, in many instances,represents a “one of a kind” and deserved a specificarchitectural treatment to emphasize Bouygues know-how.