03/11/2026
The 2026 CICA Innovation award winner is Terra Verde and Sarens - Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) shield lift
The Terra Verde and Sarens TBM Shield Lift is the winner of the Innovation Award for developing and successfully delivering a groundbreaking heavy-lift solution that overcame significant site constraints. The project required the assembly, lifting and precise placement of two 570-tonne Tunnel Boring Machine shields into a confined launch shaft measuring approximately 25 metres by 30 metres, while positioning each shield accurately against the tunnelling launch seal.
Faced with spatial limitations that prevented conventional assembly and installation methods, Terra Verde and Sarens designed a bespoke strand jack heavy-lift gantry, specifically engineered for the Burwood site. The system incorporated strand jacks travelling across runway beams, marking the first use of this technology in Australia and delivering the precision and control required for the operation.
Supported by extensive engineering verification, full-scale test lifting, monitoring systems and independent certification, the innovative approach enabled safe ex*****on while allowing other critical construction activities to continue concurrently.
This project demonstrates how innovative engineering can transform complex lifting challenges into industry-leading solutions and set a new benchmark for future tunnelling projects in Australia.