The accolade was awarded by the International Symposium on Ground Freezing (ISGF) in September.

Acciona says the recognition highlights its leadership in applying AGF early in the design process to safely construct tunnel cross-passages, marking a global first in both scale and methodology.

Site engineer Yun Lan Tsai acknowledged the significance of the achievement.

“This recognition from ISGF reflects the ingenuity and technical excellence of our team,” she said. “By integrating AGF into the design phase, we are setting new standards for safety, sustainability and constructability in tunnel infrastructure.”

AGF involves circulating chilled brine through pipes installed inside the tunnels to temporarily freeze and stabilise the surrounding groundwater and soil.

The technique will be used in 26 of the 54 cross-passages along the Suburban Rail Loop East alignment.

The ISGF commended the project for balancing engineering efficiency with environmental responsibility. By freezing the ground instead of using traditional dewatering or chemical stabilisation methods, AGF reduces groundwater disruption and minimises environmental impact.