Global Best Projects, Award of Merit: MIA Mover APM System

Photo by Steven Brooke

To erect Miami International Airport's 1.27-mile-long automated people mover system—featuring trains manufactured in Japan—builders had to work above and along MIA's entranceway. Additionally, building the system's new station left just a 10-ft gap on three sides, between new construction and two existing garage structures.

Facing these logistics, Parsons-Odebrecht placed a premium on working safely. The project achieved an Occupational Safety and Health Administration incidence rate of 0.27, and earned OSHA's Voluntary Protection Program Star award. The project was completed on schedule, under budget and with no claims.

Location Miami

Project Team

Owner Miami-Dade Aviation Dept., Miami

Lead Designer/General Contractor Parsons-Odebrecht Joint Venture, Miami

Architect M.C. Harry Associates, Miami

Engineers TY Lin International, Miami; SZA Corp., Miami; NOVA Consulting, Doral, Fla.; Fraga Engineers, Miami

APM Systems Contractor Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America, New York

Scott Judy is Deputy Editor for Regions, and editor of ENR Southeast, one of Engineering News-Record's 10 Regional publications. His roughly 27 years as a construction journalist began with an 11-year stint covering Midwest construction projects. In 2000, Judy helped launch the publication now known as ENR Southeast. He often delves into controversial aspects of the construction industry such as bankruptcies and fatal accidents, and wishes he would never have to cover another accident but suspects that he might.

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60% of workers are exposed to heights greater than 5 ft daily, and workers' compensation from injury is more than $7B - it's time for construction leaders to take measures to reduce risk and create a safer work environment. We'll explore how technology can improve construction site safety and help prevent accidents before they happen.