USA honours outstanding achievements 26 Jul 2018

David Kanagy, Executive Director of the UCA of SME, introduces the recipients of the Awards for 2018 and each speaks of the importance of the recognition and their contribution to the industry.

In its annual recognition of outstanding contribution and achievement, the Underground Construction Association of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (UCA of SME) in the USA has honoured three leading professionals of the international underground engineering industry.

Dr Harvey Parker receives the 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award, Dr Priscilla Nelson is recipient of the Outstanding Educator Award for 2018 and the Outstanding Individual Award goes to David Klug.

Harvey Parker

Dr Parker is honored for his contribution to the US and the global tunneling industry over a career of more than five decades and for his initiatives in public awareness of the role of tunneling and underground space in our everyday lives. The outstanding achievements include seeking advances in new methods and materials, and advancing the public understanding and concurrence with the beneficial uses of underground space. Parker earned his PhD in Civil Engineering for the University of Illinois in 1976 and his Masters Degree in Civil Engineering at Harvard University in 1967 and beginning his higher education with a BS in Civil Engineerings from Aubum in 1957. Parker is known, recognised and highly respected professional in the international community and underground space planning, design, excavation, and operation industries.

Priscilla Nelson

Dr Nelson has dedicated most of her professional career to the education of new generations of engineers for the underground construction and tunneling industry in the US. UCA recognizes her for her initiatives as a role model and inspiration for young female students pursuing advanced degrees in the field of tunnelling and for her contributions to many organisations that represent the professions in the field of civil engineering, engineering geology and rock mechanics. Dr Nelson holds a PhD in geotechnical engineering from Cornell University and Master's Degrees in geology and structural engineering from Indiana University and University of Oklahoma, and a Bachelor's Degree in geology from the University of Rochester and is currently Head of Mining Engineering at the Colorado School of Mines.

David Klug

David Klug is recognised for his contributions to the tunneling industry and for his leadership involvement with the UCA of SME. He has been instrumental in the introduction of new techniques, materials and supplies to the tunneling industry in the USA and for enabling the sharing of experiences and developments between professionals in the USA and their counterparts in the countries of Europe.

The 2018 UCA of SME Project of the Year is awarded to the Schiavone/Kiewit JV, WSP/Parsons Brinckerhoff JV and the NYCMTA Capital Construction division for construction of the Northern Boulevard Crossing. At 85ft below ground level, the Northern Boulevard Crossing was recognized as the most technically challenging aspect of New York City MTA East Side Access project. This highly complex and challenging project was marked by extensive pre-planning, stringent controls, a sophisticated monitoring program, and a cooperative project team effort throughout that all combined to result in problem-free tunnel excavation with no appreciable movement to the overhead structures.

NATM supported by ground freezing provided the rail underpass of the Northern Boulevard infrastructure

The Awards were presented to the recipients at the gala banquet held during the North American Tunneling conference held in June 2018 in Washington DC. The new recipients of the Awards join an list of outstanding previous Award recipients, leaders of the industry that have shaped the development of civil engineering tunnelling in the US and North America.