Type of work

Tunnels

Coatzacoalcos tunnel

Mexico

The first immersed tunnel in Latin-America

The first immersed tunnel in Latin-America

  • The Coatzacoalcos immersed tunnel
  • Coatzalcoalcos submerged tunnel infographic
  • exterior view under construction of the Coatzalcoalcos submerged tunnel
  • exterior view under construction of the Coatzalcoalcos submerged tunnel
  • exterior view under construction of the Coatzalcoalcos submerged tunnel
  • The Coatzacoalcos immersed tunnel
  • Coatzalcoalcos submerged tunnel infographic
  • exterior view under construction of the Coatzalcoalcos submerged tunnel
  • exterior view under construction of the Coatzalcoalcos submerged tunnel
  • exterior view under construction of the Coatzalcoalcos submerged tunnel

Description

The submerged tunnel of Coatzacoalcos is located southeast of the state of Veracruz (Mexico). This tunnel which was partially submerged and was made with reinforced concrete, post-tensioned longitudinally. It has a total length of 1.14 kilometers, of which 696 meters was submerged. The tunnel was constructed using the Cut and Cover method.

The Coatzacoalcos Tunnel represent technological innovation in construction, because the Immersed-tunnel Method allows the prefabrication of reinforced concrete tunnel sections in a dry dock, prepared to be floated, tugged and positioned on the marine bed without any need for special subsoil drilling equipment

The project also includes two buildings or portals on the east and west sides, located on both sides of the immersed tunnel, that house the electromechanical installations.

A control building is also installed on the toll plaza that fulfils the functions of administration and control.

Responsible

The project includes all the required installations for adequate works operation and control, together with the lighting system, ventilation system, carbon monoxide detection system, the SOS system, the fire detection system, the variable sign system, the CCTV system and the public address system.

The tunnel includes an integral safety system, with video-surveillance and control for real-time monitoring and control of tunnel status, thus guaranteeing its efficient management and ensuring user safety.

The project took into account that navigation along the River Coatzacoalcos during works execution was not to be affected.

Highlights

  • This piece of infrastructure was the first submerged tunnel of Latin America.
  • Currently more than 26,000 vehicles make use of the tunnel daily.
  • Constructed using the Immersed-tunnel Method that did not require the use of any special subsoil drilling equipment.