ABSTRACT
The objective of this article is to present some case studies of the construction of tunnels on the Durango – Mazatlan highway, which during the period between 2006 and 2013 was built in the north of Mexico. This road is made up of 61 tunnels in a stretch of approximately 80 km in length and crosses the Sierra Madre Occidental, which is why this number of tunnels were considered and it was sought to comply with three important points: first, minimize the environmental impact of the area, second, avoid high-altitude cuts (greater than 30 m) and third, comply with the geometric specifications established in Mexico for 2 and 4 lane roads. It is also important to mention and analyze that the Secretariat of Infrastructure, Communications and Transport (former SCT), used the experience of design and construction of road tunnels nationwide obtained over 26 years (1980 to 2003) and thus initially projected sixty-three tunnels on said highway, specifically in the El Salto – Concordia section (km 115 to km 195). Another point to develop in this case study is that during the construction period of some of these tunnels there were various situations (failures), which forced changes and/or modifications in the geotechnical considerations assumed and, in the construction, procedures originally proposed during the project development stage. Finally, it is important to consider that this type of experience has contributed to the development of recommendations for the design and construction of tunnels; such is the case of the Manual published by the SCT in 2016, without forgetting that it is still the responsibility of designers, supervisors, builders and government authorities to continue in the advancement and innovation of this issue to face new challenges, which contribute to improving the country’s infrastructure.
