NEC Martin Barnes Awards 2025: AECOM wins four awards for project and individual excellence

Francis, an approved NEC Expert appointed by the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) since 2015, was recognized for his distinguished leadership in promoting NEC best practices within AECOM and across the broader industry.

Francis led the publication of AECOM’s NEC Administration Handbook in 2021 and coordinated internal training programs to build NEC capability across teams. He also contributed to contract innovation by drafting a new clause under ECC Secondary Option X20, which defines performance indicators such as timely site clearance and early completion of a tree survey project.

A frequent speaker at industry events, including the Construction Industry Council (2019), PMI Singapore (2021) and the NEC Asia Pacific Conference (2024), Francis exemplifies NEC’s values of collaboration, continuous learning, and innovation in practice.

Located in the Northern Metropolis, the project earned recognition for delivering Hong Kong’s first-ever vehicular bridge rotation over a major railway line — an engineering milestone that set a new benchmark in the city’s infrastructure development. This pioneering construction method significantly reduced the risks typically associated with building over active railways. The bridge spans were constructed parallel to the railway and rotated into position overnight, without disruptions to railway operations and ensuring worker safety.

To achieve this complex operation, the project team implemented a range of smart initiatives, including strain gauges, temporary lateral supports, automatic deformation monitoring system, LiDAR scanning and AI-enabled CCTV. These digital applications helped halved the construction timeline from two years to one, while ensuring safety and precision through the process.

The project was recognized for its innovative underground design that reclaims valuable land for urban development. By moving the facility into caverns, the project reduces its surface footprint by 50 % – from 28 to 14 hectares – while continuing to serve a population of 700,000.

Powered by Hong Kong’s first on-site 5G network using the 4.9 GHz spectrum, this project significantly enhances efficiency and safety through real-time monitoring, correction, and data analysis — enabling engineers to make informed decisions and reduce risks in cavern environments. Advanced technologies such as Measure-While-Drilling (MWD) sensors, Augmented-Reality HoloLens, and proprietary digital tools like the Blast-data Mobile Application and AI Rockbolt Recognition System leverage AI to create digital replicas of the caverns, laying the groundwork for digital twin development.