Operator Kansai International Airport Co., Ltd.
Serves Osaka, Japan
The rate of sinking has slowed down markedly in recent years, falling from 50 cm during 1994 to 7 cm in 2006.[3] In 2003, believing that the sinking problem was almost over, the airport operators started the construction of a 4,000m second runway, with an estimated project cost of 1.56 trillion JPY (approx. 15 billion USD). Since the airport is at its limit on "peak" times, a portion of Phase II, including the second runway, is scheduled to become operational on August 2, 2007, in time for the Osaka World Expo. [4] Further into the future, the airport is planning to construct a new terminal building, several aprons, and a third 3500 meter runway.
The seawall foundation improvement work started in 1999 and the runway should be ready for use in October 2007.
SEABED IMPROVEMENT
The method used for seabed improvement is the sand drain method. Prior to reclamation work, a number of sand piles are driven into the soft seabed clay. The weight of the soil used for reclamation causes the water in the clay beneath to move outward along the sand piles. The clay gradually becomes solidified in this way.
To measure precisely the subsidence, subsidence speed, subsidence behaviour and strength of the island's foundation, a large-scale measurement tower (33.5m in height from its foundation to its tower deck and 22m in deck area) was installed near the north end of the reclaimed land to be used for the project. The tower will be used as a base for measuring the deformation of the seabed.
Eight large sand drain barges for deep-sea operations were used for the seabed improvement work. All the seabed improvement work was completed after the last sand drain barge departed from the construction area.
The second phase development of Kansai International Airport will cost approximately $13 million.
CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
Kansai International Airport Company (KIAC) will manage the construction.
Among the companies involved in the construction work are specially designated joint-venture groups:
oToyo-Daio-Maeda-Mitsui-Rinkai-Asakawa.
oGoyo-Tetra-Konoike-Sato-Nihonkaiko-Daishin.
oMistui-Ohmoto-Hazama-Nihonkaiko-Yoshida.
oToa-Shimizu-Kokudosogo-Takenaka.
oDoboku-Rinkai-Kabuki.
oTaisei-Toyo-Wakachiku-Tobishima-Taiho.
