Abstract
The 11.6 mile (18.7 km) long Hiawatha Light Rail Transit Line is the first of its kind built in Minnesota and one of the state's largest public works projects at a cost of $676 million, second only to the multi-billion dollar expansion of the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Twin precast concrete tunnels run parallel beneath the heart of one of the nation's busiest airports for a total distance of 7400 ft (2250 m). Formidable subsurface challenges, concern for water infiltration, and aviation related restrictions led to the selection of the $110 million bored precast concrete tunnel lining system. Each tunnel ring was constructed with seven bolted precast concrete segments with compression gaskets ensuring watertight connections as a backgrouting operation maintained continuous ground support. A custom-built 70,000 sq ft (6500 m 2 ) precast production facility housed a carousel assembly production area with 13 stations, including those for welding, curing, and gasket installation.
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