The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CIVL) at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology recently hosted a significant recognition event for the Central Kowloon Bypass (Yau Ma Tei Section) mid-section tunnel project, which recently secured the prestigious International Society of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE) "Outstanding Geotechnical Engineering Project Award".
In collaboration with the Hong Kong Geotechnical Society (HKGES), the Department welcomed the Director of Highways, Mr. Tony YAU Kwok-ting, and his accomplished project team. The event, organized by the Department, served as a seminar for industry experts to acknowledge and celebrate the project's exceptional achievements. Prof. Gang WANG, the acting department head at the time, has introduced the recent research activities excellence in geotechnical engineering, including the State Key Laboratory of Climate Resilience for Costal Cities (SKL-CRCC) established in 2025. The delegation was brought to visit the HKUST geotechnical centrifuge facility (GCF) by Prof. Anthony LEUNG, the Director of GCF, to introduce the major research and industrial geotechnical projects.
This award-winning project stands as a testament to engineering prowess, marked by its successful navigation of critical challenges:
● Intricate drilling and blasting operations conducted directly beneath a densely populated urban environment.
● Overcoming significant geological complexities, including the crossing of seven distinct fault lines.
● The precise construction of an underground tunnel maintaining a critical 3-meter proximity to the operational MTR Kwun Tong Line.
About ISSMGE and the award:
Founded in 1936, ISSMGE is the foremost international academic body in geotechnical engineering, uniting over 20,000 experts from more than 90 countries. The society's quadrennial awards are considered the highest honor in geotechnical engineering, reflecting unparalleled contributions to the discipline. The award is given every four years to recognise projects that best illustrate superior geotechnical engineering skills and represent significant contributions to geotechnical engineering progress and society.
