James Monsees, senior vice president and technical director for underground structures at Parsons Brinckerhoff, has received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Tunnels & Tunnelling International magazine.
The magazine recognized Monsees for his extensive contributions to the tunneling industry, both in technical accomplishment and as an inspiration to future tunnelers.
An expert in the design and construction of underground structures and in soil and rock mechanics, Monsees’ tunneling career has spanned a half-century.
He served as chief tunnel engineer for the Los Angeles Metro Red Line during the 1990s, responsible for the design of all underground facilities for the underground heavy rail system. More recently he served as a senior advisor for technical review of the Eastside Extension of the Los Angeles Metro Gold Line, completed in November 2009.
Other projects to which Monsees has contributed his expertise include the extension of the No. 7 subway line and the East Side Access project in New York City.
Monsees was elected to the U.S. National Academy of Engineering in 1991 and is active in the American Society of Civil Engineers, American Underground Space Association, National Academy of Science, Underground Technical Research Council, American Rock Mechanics Association, The Beavers, and The Moles.
