New tunnel connection for Mexico

A major tunnel construction project has been carried out in Mexico, setting a technological precedent for Latin America . Mexican materials giant CEMEX took part in the construction of the Coatzacoalcos Underwater Tunnel in Veracruz, Mexico. This innovative project features large tunnel bores and utilised a complex construction process. As a result of these technical challenges CEMEX was required to design and deliver special concretes so as to allow the construction of the different structures needed to
November 8, 2017 Read time: 3 mins
The new tunnel sets a precedent for Latin America

A major tunnel construction project has been carried out in Mexico, setting a technological precedent for Latin America

Mexican materials giant 3016 CEMEX took part in the construction of the Coatzacoalcos Underwater Tunnel in Veracruz, Mexico. This innovative project features large tunnel bores and utilised a complex construction process. As a result of these technical challenges CEMEX was required to design and deliver special concretes so as to allow the construction of the different structures needed to provide the tunnel and profile as well as for the portals.

Because the route of the tunnel runs under water the company managing the project, Constructora Túnel de Coatzacoalcos, asked CEMEX to deliver specific concrete solutions for the different structural elements and the agents to which they would be exposed. “Through its quality department, CEMEX worked with us to design the concrete mix used in the tunnel to meet the durability requirements specified by the needs of this project and international standards,” explained Darwin Hernandez, technical manager for the construction project.

CEMEX supplied 48,000m3 of special products, from concrete for the different structural elements to the design and placement of concrete pavement inside the tunnel and the toll area. CEMEX supplied concrete in separate massive pouring of 600m3 and 800m3 for the slabs of the access ramps to the tunnel.

“CEMEX offered its know-how and ability to solve construction challenges. Additionally, it followed up very closely with both the needs prior to the design of the project and the concrete formulations to proceed with the castings,” added Jose Armengol Notario, production superintendent of Producción de Constructora Túnel de Coatzacoalcos.

The chosen construction method was developed in the Netherlands and was selected as it provided the least impact on urban areas. The technique utilised large prefabricated reinforced concrete modules that were produced in a dry dock and then transported to the site for installation under water. For this project, five concrete blocks were built in a dry dock on the banks of the Coatzacoalcos River and later transferred and placed at the bottom of the river.

The tunnel features four traffic lanes in all, with two in each direction, and is expected to ease traffic congestion between the Coatzacoalcos urban area and the petrochemical industrial area of Villa Allende. Its effect on congestion is expected to be significant, reducing commuting times from 30 minutes to just three minutes.

Road Structures

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Expanding the Panamericana Oestae Highway in Panama
    November 3, 2023
    Expansion of the Panamericana Oeste highway is an infrastructure project that will help guarantee the future of Panama - Mauro Nogarin writes
    Read More
  • Tyne tunnel's water quality checks
    February 6, 2012
    Five buoy-mounted automatic water quality monitors (AWQMs) have been installed by YSI Hydrodata engineers at the new Tyne Tunnel project in north-east England. The equipment on the second vehicle tunnel under the River Tyne, currently one of the UK's largest construction projects, aims to ensure that construction operations do not significantly affect river water quality. Unusually, the contractors have not taken ownership of the instrumentation, preferring instead to simply purchase the data and alarms. Th
    Read More
  • Tunnel project of Chilean capital Santiago
    April 8, 2015
    Tunnel construction in Chilean capital Santiago will help cut chronic congestion – Mauro Nogarin & Mike Woof write. Chile’s capital Santiago is a thriving city having benefited from the country’s economy growing strongly in recent years. The massive copper mining sector has helped boost the country’s GDP significantly in the past few decades, also aided by the growing international reputation of Chile’s large wine industry. The steady economic growth has resulted in an equally steady growth in average incom
    Read More
  • New Angolan bridge offers improved connectivity
    September 30, 2013
    Drivers in Angola are benefiting from a bridge that spans the Catumbela River, taking the place of an old structure that had proven not fit for purpose. The US$35 million cable stayed bridge is located in the highway between Benguela and Lobito, around 7km from Angola’s Atlantic coast and is one of a series of new infrastructure developments in the country. Angola suffered a long period of war that impacted on its people and infrastructure. The war resulted in severe damage to the country’s road system alon
    Read More

Highlighted Content