Trenchless Technology Magazine Announces its 2026 Projects of the Year

Trenchless Technology, the leading voice of the trenchless marketplace, has revealed the winners of its 33rd annual Projects of the Year for 2026 — the industry’s most prestigious project honors. The magazine presents awards in two categories: New Installation and Rehabilitation.

Trenchless Technology made the announcement Sept. 24, during a special Trenchless Perspectives Live webinar held in celebration of World Trenchless Day.

This year’s top projects highlight innovative uses of microtunneling, and cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) and other trenchless methods.

“Each year, the Projects of the Year remind us just how much skill, ingenuity and teamwork go into tackling some of the industry’s most demanding projects,” says Trenchless Technology Editor Sharon M. Bueno. “This year’s winners demonstrate the many ways trenchless technologies are being used to solve complex construction challenges and get the job done. It’s exciting to see the innovation happening across our industry, and we’re proud to recognize the contractors, engineers, owners and project teams behind these outstanding accomplishments. Congratulations to all of our 2026 winners!”

She adds, “We also want to thank everyone who took the time to share their projects with us. The quality and diversity of this year’s entries made for an impressive field and gave our New Installation and Rehabilitation Committees plenty to consider. Selecting the winners was no easy task, but it was a great opportunity to see firsthand the innovative work taking place across the trenchless industry.”

Rehabilitation Projects of the Year

This year’s Project of the Year for Rehabilitation is Northwest Interceptor Rehabilitation Project in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

The Northwest Interceptor is a critical 60-in., non-reinforced concrete sewer crossing under a railway at a 45-ft depth into the North End Water Pollution Control Center installed in the late 1970s. This $2.8 million, 1,300-ft, fast-tracked project utilized CIPP to properly rehabilitate the interceptor under -40 F winter temperatures.

The design-bid-build project also implemented recommendations from Phase 4 of NASSCO’s study on the impact of styrene and high-temperatures have on biochemical oxygen demand-driven wastewater treatment processes. Completion of this project resulted in more than $11 million in overall project savings.

Other projects recognized in the Rehabilitation category are: MWRD Northshore Sliplining Project, greater Chicago area (runner up); Port Authority Logistics Park Infrastructure Improvements, Alabama (Honorable Mention); HOVMSD Fox River Interceptor Rehabilitation, Kaukauna, Wisconsin (Honorable Mention).

New Installation Projects of the Year

This year’s Project of the Year for New Installation is the Tri-City Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) in Oregon City, Oregon.

This project delivered a new 90-in. wastewater outfall in Oregon City. Michels and AECOM completed the installation alongside Clackamas Water Environment Services, Jacobs, Thompson Pipe Group, and key partners. Work included an open-cut section, a curved microtunnel and a diffuser installation in the Willamette River.

Overcoming site constraints and environmental limits, the team opted to install the pipe in a continuous microtunnel driv. Its alignment included one horizontal and three vertical curves beneath roads, parkland, utilities and sensitive areas.

An innovative dual-structural pipe combined corrosion-resistant FRP pressure pipe with reinforced concrete jacking pipe to withstand demanding curved-drive forces

Other projects recognized in the New Installation category are: the NorthRiver Midstream NEBC Connector in British Columbia and Alberta Canada for NorthRiver Midstream (Runner-up); Giga Factory Texas Offsite Wastewater Interceptor for Tesla in Texas (Honorable Mention); and the Pleasure Bay Interceptor for the Two Rivers Water Reclamation Authority in Monmouth Beach, New Jersey (Honorable Mention).

Industry Recognition

Trenchless Technology spotlights the winners in its October 2026 issue. The Trenchless Technology team will formally present awards at the 2026 NASTT No-Dig Show, taking place in Raleigh, North Carolina.

The committees select projects based on technical advancement, project complexity, milestones and records achieved. They also look at collaboration, and contributions to the advancement of the trenchless industry.

Leading the Project of the Year program is Managing Editor Mike Kezdi. He works closely with two expert committees — one for New Installation and one for Rehabilitation. The committees represent a broad cross-section of the trenchless marketplace.

The Nomination period for 2027 Trenchless Technology Projects of the Year will open in October. The magazine will accept North American projects completed between June 17, 2026, and June 16, 2027. Click here to head to the Project of the Year Submission Page.

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