ITA Tunnelling Awards 2026 Finalists Announced
The International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association (ITA) is pleased to announce the finalists for the ITA Tunnelling Awards 2026, recognizing outstanding achievements in underground infrastructure, engineering excellence, innovation and emerging talent from around the world.
This year’s finalists represent 29 outstanding projects and individuals from 17 countries and regions, showcasing the diversity, technical excellence and innovation that continue to advance the tunnelling and underground space industry.
The finalists have been selected across eight award categories:
Major Projects
- Beijing East Sixth Ring Road Tunnel (China)
- GTX-A Metropolitan Express Railway Deep Tunnel between Unjeong–Samsung Station (South Korea)
- Riyadh Metro Lines 1 & 2: Underground Backbone of the World’s Longest Driverless Metro (Saudi Arabia)
- HS2 MWCC C1 Chiltern Tunnels and Shafts (United Kingdom)
Projects €100–500 Million
- Inter-Terminal Bored Tunnels (ITBT) – Changi Airport (Singapore)
- Monsanto–Santa Apolónia Tunnel from the Lisbon Drainage Master Plan (Portugal)
- Relocation of Sha Tin Sewage Treatment Works to Caverns – Main Caverns Construction (Hong Kong, China)
Projects up to €100 Million
- Ollachea Tunnel (Peru)
- Novaliches–Balara Aqueduct 4 (Philippines)
- Lisbon Metro Circular Line Extension – Lot 1 (Rato–Santos) (Portugal)
- Lisbon Metro Circular Line Extension – Lot 2 (Santos–Cais do Sodré) (Portugal)
Rehabilitation, Upgrading and Re-purposing Projects
- Beverentunnel Renovation (Belgium)
- Howard Street Tunnel (United States)
- Kennedy Railway Tunnel Renovation, Antwerp (Belgium)
Technical Innovation
- Automated Primary Supports for Tunnelling Under Tectonic Stresses and Severe Squeezing – Terzo Valico dei Giovi (Italy)
- Key Technologies for Shield Cutting and Crossing Reinforced Concrete Diaphragm Walls of Operating Subway Stations (China)
- A World-First TBM-Excavated Spiral Ramp in Hard Granite for Radioactive Waste Disposal (China)
- Complete Equipment and Construction Technology for Vertical Excavation of Ultra-Large-Diameter Prefabricated Shafts (China)
Product / Equipment Innovation
- Use of Precast Lining and Automated Lining Erector Machine in Mined Tunnels (Australia)
- AI-powered High-precision Robot for Installing Arc-shaped Bottom Box Culverts in Shield Tunnels (China)
- TBM Integrated Sensing Equipment (China)
- The Cube System – An Ultra Low Headroom Diaphragm Wall Machine (Belgium)
- TPC Group Server, Drive Map and Tunnelytics (Germany)
Elevated Thinking
- Elevating Energy Viability: Sustainable LPG Storage in Engineered Rock Caverns (India)
- Planning and Construction of the “#” Shaped Underground Road System in Shanghai CBD Core Area (China)
- Hipogeo Santiago Bernabéu Stadium (Spain)
Young Tunneller of the Year
- Wojciech Mleczko (Poland)
- Xu Chen (China)
- Gabriel Lehmann (Germany)
This year’s shortlist reflects the breadth of expertise across the global tunnelling community, from major transport and water infrastructure projects to pioneering technical innovations, cutting-edge equipment and inspiring young professionals. China leads the shortlist with eight finalists, followed by Portugal and Belgium with three finalists each, demonstrating the international reach and excellence of the awards.
The winners of the ITA Tunnelling Awards 2026 will be announced during the Awards ceremony, celebrating the projects, technologies and individuals that are shaping the future of underground space.
Congratulations to all finalists, and thank you for your contribution to advancing the tunnelling and underground construction industry worldwide.
