An airport that cost approximately 20 billion dollars is sinking into the water. It is about a facility built on two artificial islands in Japan that has been hailed as a pinnacle of civil engineering. The future of the international airport is uncertain as the subsidence does not stop.
Kansai International Airport (KIX) in Japan is sinking into the sea, according to Express. The construction, which cost around 20 billion dollars, is considered one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects of its kind. At its opening in 1994, it was considered a milestone in civil engineering.
The giant dike, a belated solution
The airport was built on two artificial islands in Osaka Bay, which are connected to the mainland by a 2.1 km bridge. However, despite its impressive innovative structures, the airport is sinking into the sea. To date, it has sunk to about 12 meters. Nevertheless, it continues to host charter flights to all of Asia.
Engineers have tried to save the airport, but its future remains uncertain. Initially, experts said that the sinking would stop at a depth of 4 meters, and stability would be guaranteed for at least 50 years. However, just six years after opening, parts of the two artificial islands have already reached the 4-meter threshold, which no longer provides protection against flooding.
To save the airport and the islands, a giant dike was built. Approximately 117 million pounds were spent on raising the dike, although some engineers believe this is too little and too late.
The airport is under renovation
In 2018, Typhoon Jebi hit Osaka Bay, flooding the runway and causing a two-week disruption of activities.
This incident prompted additional upgrades, including raising the dike by another 2.7 meters to protect the airport against future floods.
Some predictions suggest that by 2056, sections of the islands could sink more than four meters below sea level.
Last year, 25% of all foreign visitors to Japan entered the country through KIX.
Currently, the airport is undergoing renovation. The work, valued at 740 million dollars, aims to increase capacity and strengthen the airport's role as a regional transportation hub.