Method for erecting a transportation structure

A method for erecting a portion of a transportation structure including a first assembly of tube segments capable of being placed under low air pressure, pods being capable of traveling through the first assembly of tube segments substantially free of air friction, the method comprising:

• (a) erecting a substructure comprising a plurality of piers, a first plurality of girders positioned on at least some of the piers and forming a first transportation pathway running from a first extremity of the substructure to a second extremity and a plurality of platforms, either positioned on the piers or connected to the girders of the first transportation pathway, and forming a service pathway running from the first extremity of the substructure to the second extremity, the erecting step comprising:
• (i) Starting from the first extremity, conveying with at least one vehicle an nth girder of the first plurality of girders along the first transportation pathway formed by the girders of the first plurality of girders previously positioned, positioning the nth girder at a use position and having the at least one vehicle return to the first extremity of the substructure along the service pathway,
• (ii) Starting from the first extremity, conveying with the at least one vehicle a yth platform of the plurality of platforms along the first transportation pathway formed by the girders of the first plurality of girders previously positioned, positioning the yth platform at its use position and having the at least one vehicle return to the first extremity of the substructure along the service pathway;
• (b) conveying, with the at least one vehicle, tube segments of the first assembly of tube segments along the first transportation pathway, to the use position of each tube segment, positioning each tube segment and having the at least one vehicle return along the service pathway.