CPS AtlantaCPS Atlanta
Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta Int'l Airport

Passenger Boarding Bridge (PBB) Replacement

LOCATION
Atlanta, Georgia
CLIENT
Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta Int'l Airport
MARKET
Aviation
Single largest ground support project in the history of the United States.

Passenger Boarding Bridge (PBB) Replacement

The replacement of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport’s Passenger Boarding Bridges (PBBs) is the single largest ground support project in the history of the United States. In 2015, CPS began leading a team of Subject Matter Experts in the fields of aviation design, manufacturing and construction to replace 116 of these PBBs. The $175 million program required detailed planning and implementation of a multi-year, multi-phased effort requiring extensive coordination of equipment manufacturing and airport operations.

These new bridges truly provide an enhanced airport experience as well as smoother operations for airport staff. Unlike the PBBs that are being replaced, the bridges have air conditioning and can be pre-cooled prior to arrival of the aircraft. Additionally, they utilize automatic aircraft-docking technology so that a bridge can pre-position itself to get within six inches of docking itself to the aircraft with the push of the button, allowing for a more efficient and safe operation. Further technological capabilities include self-diagnosis of issues, analysis of the equipment’s performance statistics, and integration into the building’s asset tracker software.

Each PBB is manufactured offsite at Ogden, Utah and shipped to the airport for just-in-time delivery, which requires advanced planning and dedicated escorts. The bridge requires three tractor trailer loads to deliver, and additional trucks supply the counterweights and materials for the crane. The entire process of removing the old bridge, installing the new bridge and putting it into operation is accomplished within three days thanks to detailed planning and collaboration.

Through teamwork and commitment to excellence, CPS led the team to complete the first two phases 90 days ahead of schedule and $22 million under budget. The third phase is currently slated to be completed in 2021.

This project was closely coordinated with the Delta Safegate A/V Docking System Installation project.