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Opening Ceremony and Muir Wood Lecture

Monday, May 18 2026

Welcome word:

Gregory Charles, Master of Ceremonies

Dr. André Rancourt, Congress Chair, TAC Vice President East and Dr. Jean Habimana, Congress Vice Chair

Bruce Downing, TAC President

Andrea Pigorini,  ITA President

Presentations:

Hydro-Québec at glance – Our Action Plan 2035

Eric Peloquin, Chief Dam Safety Hydro-Québe

The role of the underground for nuclear waste

Dr. Karina Lange, Waste Disposal Specialist and Scientific Secretary International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

Muir Wood Lecturer: TBMs at the Forefront: Challenges, Innovations and Logistics in Large-Scale Underground Construction

           Remo Grandori, Director of the Plant & Equipment and TBM Departement , WeBuild

The 3D-Up and Down City: The Potential Transformation Ahead with Urban TunnellingLarry Beasley

Larry Beasley, Founding Principal of Beasley & Associates, Planning Inc. Former Chief Planner of Vancouver

Closing Remarks & Announcements:

Dr. Erik Eberhardt, Head, Dept. of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences and Professor, Geological Engineering (Rock Mechanics & Rock Engineering)

 

Master of Ceremonies

about-montreal

Gregory Charles

Gregory Charles is a renowned Canadian performer, broadcaster, and communicator, celebrated for his dynamic stage presence and ability to engage diverse audiences. A classically trained pianist with a career spanning music, media, and public dialogue, he brings a unique talent for making complex ideas accessible and fostering meaningful conversation.

Opening Remarks

Dr. André Rancourt

Congress Chair, TAC Vice President East

 

 

 

 

Dr. Jean Habimana

Congress Vice Chair, TAC Québec & Maritimes Director

 

 

 

 

Bruce Downing

TAC President

 

 

 

 

Andrea Pigorini

ITA President, Head of infrastructure Design, FS Engineering Italian State Railway Group

 

about-montreal

Keynote speakers

about-montreal

Eric Péloquin

Eric Péloquin – P.Eng, M.Eng., Chief Dam Safety-HydroQuebec

Eric Péloquin is a civil engineer graduated from Polytechnique Montréal with a master’s degree in soil mechanics. He has over 30 years of experience in dam safety, design, construction, and geotechnical engineering in Canada and internationally. Since joining Hydro-Québec in 2007, he has played a key role in major hydroelectric projects, including the Romaine Complex and large reservoir developments in James Bay.

He currently serves as Chief Dam Safety, leading the surveillance and diagnosis of Hydro-Québec’s portfolio of more than 700 dams and 140 spillways. Eric is also a past President of the Canadian Dam Association and remains actively involved in international dam safety committees and technical training initiatives.

He will be presenting: Hydro-Québec at glance  – Our Action Plan 2035.

Dr. Karina Lange

Dr. Karina Lange – Waste Disposal Specialist and Scientific Secretary International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

Dr. Karina Lange has a PhD in Geoenvironmental Engineering and is currently the scientific secretary for the IAEA’s Underground Research Facilities Network. Prior to joining the IAEA, Dr. Lange was a senior licensing officer and inspector at the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. As a radioactive waste disposal specialist at the IAEA, a major focus of her work is sharing technical expertise with countries at the initial stages of a radioactive waste disposal program. She supports this work by coordinating scientific visits to existing sites in host countries, various training activities and workshops. She is an active supporter of diversity in the nuclear workforce.

She will be presenting: The role of the underground for nuclear waste

 

about-montreal
about-montreal

Remo Grandori

Remo Grandori – Director of the Plant & Equipment and TBM Departement , WeBuild

Muir Wood – Lecturer

Graduated in 1984 in Mechanical Engineering with a thesis on TBM & rock cutting mechanism, Mr. Grandori has since then, for the last 41 years, worked in TBM tunnelling as Tunnel Contractor and TBM Manufacturer with SELI, accruing experience in over 120 TBM projects and more then 1.200 km of tunnels in the most different formations in all 5 continents. 

He will be presenting: TBMs at the Forefront: Challenges, Innovations and Logistics in Large-Scale Underground Construction

Larry Beasley

Larry Beasley – Founding Principal of Beasley & Associates, Planning Inc. Former Chief Planner of Vancouver

Mr. Beasley’s visionary approach and global experience have influenced the shaping of cities around the world. His keynote address will offer valuable insights into the future of urban development and the innovative ideas driving vibrant, resilient communities. This is an exceptional opportunity to hear from a renowned expert whose work continues to inspire planners, policymakers, engineers, and city builders alike.

He will be presenting: The 3D-Up and Down City: The Potential Transformation Ahead with Urban Tunnelling

about-montreal

Closing Remarks

about-montreal

Dr. Erik Eberhardt, PEng, FEIC

Head, Dept. of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences

Professor, Geological Engineering (Rock Mechanics & Rock Engineering)

Thank you for participating in the ITA World Tunnel Congress 2026
Contact us

Conference Secretariat – JPdL International
info@wtc2026.ca

Thank you for participating in the ITA World Tunnel Congress 2026