At the heart of the world’s busiest airport, Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International, Mammoet has played a key role in a strategic expansion of Concourse D—without halting operations. Originally built in 1980, the narrow concourse needed a major upgrade to accommodate the airport’s nearly 300,000 daily travelers.
To avoid disrupting traffic through this vital hub, Mammoet partnered early with the Holder-Moody-Bryson-Sovereign joint venture. Their solution: deliver prefabricated concourse modules using Self-Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMTs) during overnight windows, keeping construction out of sight from day-to-day airport life.
Modules were moved each week between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m., with the pace doubling to two modules per week during phase two. One of the heaviest units weighed over 694 tons, moved on 92 axle lines of SPMT, and traveled over a mile to its final site.
Precise placement of the modules was achieved using eighteen 300-ton climbing jacks. These allowed for elevation adjustments beyond the SPMTs’ stroke capacity, essential for setting the modules at the correct level.
The modular, offsite construction method not only minimized disruption but also offered scheduling advantages. Once completed, the project will extend the concourse by over 87 meters (288 feet), creating more space for passengers, retail, and larger aircraft.
Mammoet’s airport experience spans the globe, from expanding Portland International (PDX) to installing a skybridge in Hong Kong and transporting new gates in Dallas—expertise that proved crucial for this Atlanta success.
