Connecting Communities Through Underground Infrastructure

Connecting Communities Through Underground Infrastructure contains the contributions presented at the ITA-AITES World Tunnel Congress 2026 (Montréal, Canada, 15-21 May 2026). The contributions cover a wide range of topics in the fields of tunnelling and underground engineering

1. Strategic Vision, Planning and Governance 1.1 Planning and Use of Underground Space 1.2 Sustainability / Net Zero and Equity, Diversity & Inclusion 1.3 Contractual Practices, Insurance and Risk Management 2. Ground Intelligence and Digital Integration 2.1 Site Investigation and Ground Characterization 2.2 Instrumentation, Monitoring and Remote Sensing 2.3 Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning 2.4 Digital and Information Technology 3. Engineering Design and Underground Structures 3.1 Ground Support and Lining Design 3.2 Grouting, Groundwater Control and Waterproofing 3.3 Shaft Design, Caverns and Power Houses 4. Construction Methods, Innovation and Delivery 4.1 Conventional and Sequential Excavation in Challenging Conditions 4.2 Mechanized Tunnelling in Challenging Conditions 4.3 Microtunnelling and Immersed Tunnels 4.4 Innovative Tunnelling, Robotics and Automation 4.5 Safety in Tunnelling 5. Commissioning, Operation and Asset Management 5.1 Operation and Inspection 5.2 Maintenance and Rehabilitation

Erik Eberhardt is a Professor of Geological Engineering specializing in Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering at the University of British Columbia. He leads a large, internationally recognized research group focused on integrating geological data, advanced geotechnical monitoring, and state-of-the-art numerical modelling to better understand the mechanisms governing complex rock mass behaviour in deep tunnelling and mining environments. He has authored more than 250 technical publications and previously served as Associate Director of the Rio Tinto Centre for Underground Mine Construction. A registered professional engineer, Erik consults on major international projects across North and South America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. His contributions to the field have been widely recognized through numerous honours, including the Canadian Geotechnical Society’s John A. Franklin Award and Thomas Roy Award, the Canadian Institute of Mining’s Rock Mechanics Award, and election as a Fellow of the Engineering Institute of Canada. He is a past President of the Tunnelling Association of Canada and served as Chair of the Scientific Committee for the World Tunnel Congress 2026 in Montréal.

Jonathan D. Aubertin is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Construction Engineering at École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS). He holds a Bachelor of Engineering from McGill University and a Ph.D. from Queen’s University. His expertise is in geotechnical engineering and rock mechanics, with research interests spanning mining geomechanics, underground excavations, tunnelling, and infrastructure engineering, combining research, teaching, and industry collaboration. He served as the Co-Chair of the Scientific Committee for the World Tunnel Congress 2026 in Montréal.

Jean Habimana holds a B.Sc. in Civil Engineering, an M.Sc. in Civil and Geo-Environmental Engineering, and a PhD in Tunnelling and Underground Engineering from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, and is a registered professional engineer in California, Michigan, Ontario, and Quebec. With more than 30 years of international experience, he has worked on complex tunnelling projects in both soft ground and hard rock, spanning the full project lifecycle from conceptual studies through detailed design and construction support, with particular expertise in seismic design, soil–structure interaction, and advanced numerical modelling. He has contributed to major infrastructure projects worldwide, including the Lötschberg Base Tunnel, Los Angeles Gold Line, Seattle SR-99 Tunnel, Taiwan High Speed Rail, Toronto Eglinton Crosstown, Montréal REM, Parramatta Rail Link, Lesotho Highlands Water Project, and the Potomac River Tunnel, across the transportation, water and wastewater, energy, and mining sectors. A recognized leader in the tunnelling industry, Jean currently serves as Hatch’s Global Tunnel Director, overseeing approximately 150 specialists worldwide, and brings extensive experience in traditional and alternative project delivery models, risk management, and claims avoidance. He is also active in academia, regularly lecturing and authoring more than 20 technical papers presented at major industry conferences.

Monika Mitew-Czajewska is a Professor of Civil Engineering at Warsaw University of Technology (WUT) and a graduate of its Faculty of Civil Engineering, where she obtained her PhD in 2005. She served as Deputy Director of the Institute of Roads and Bridges at WUT from 2019 to 2024 and has been Head of the Department of Geotechnics, Bridges, and Underground Structures since 2024. Her research and professional activities focus on geotechnics, underground construction, and tunnelling engineering. Professor Mitew-Czajewska has long been actively involved in national and international professional organizations. She served as President of the Polish Tunnelling Association (2014–2020) and has been Treasurer and a member of its Board since 2020. From 2022 to 2025, she was a member of the Executive Council of the International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association (ITA-AITES). She is also a member of the International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE) and a country-nominated member of ISSMGE TC204. She serves on scientific councils and advisory bodies of national authorities and research institutions in the fields of road infrastructure and underground engineering. In parallel with her academic work, she is the owner of the design and consulting company MMGEO.

Mike A. Mooney is the Bruce E. Grewcock Chair Professor of Underground Construction & Tunneling at Colorado School of Mines. He leads the Center for Underground, the Underground Construction and Tunnel Engineering post-graduate degree and certificate program and the Tunneling short course for industry. Mike was elected to the National Academy of Construction, is a registered Professional Engineer, and is a consultant on numerous tunneling projects. Mike has published more than 200 refereed journal and conference papers, and serves on numerous professional committees related to underground.