WSP already has one of the longest-standing and most extensive tunneling practices globally. With over 125 years of experience in both rock and soft ground, we build transportation, water, and utility tunnels, and underground spaces.
With the addition of two new world-class experts to lead our practice, WSP is expanding our tunnel business in Canada.
Mark Claassen and Dr. Eric Wu have joined WSP to grow the tunnel practice, and between them they bring unparalleled expertise to deliver best-in-class projects with innovative, cost-effective and timely solutions. Our team draws on a global network of WSP experts to deliver projects tailored to local needs and ground conditions, and our designers work extensively with smart, leading-edge technology including digital modeling of ground/structure interaction, BIM and VDC.
Whatever the project needs and conditions, WSP brings cross-functional, international intelligence to design tunnels that will stand the test of time, minimize surface disruption and scheduling delays, and create Future Ready® infrastructure to help our cities and communities thrive.
Meet our experts
Mark Claassen, BSc (Geol) MMgT, PMP
Tunnelling Practice Lead, Canada
Mark Claassen is an internationally-recognized tunnelling specialist who has served as project manager, or design manager for tunnel design, geotechnical investigations, and construction supervision projects. Mark recently joined WSP in the role of Tunnelling Practice Lead, Canada. Mark has a reputation for his constructability expertise and hands-on geotechnical background ranging from investigations to design management. His background includes work for owners, designers, and contractors in a range of ground conditions including soft soils. Mark has a broad range of experience in underground construction which includes microtunnelling in residential and urban environments in soft soils, below the water table. Additionally, he has significant experience in geotechnical instrumentation, ground modification and construction dewatering. Mark has worked on all phases of heavy civil projects from alignment studies, permitting, preliminary investigations and feasibility studies, through final design. His experience includes large, high-risk multidiscipline projects and alternative delivery methods such as design-build, engineer-procure-construct and public-private partnerships (P3).
Dr. Eric Wu, BSc (Hons), PhD
Tunnelling Lead, Western Canada
With more than 32 years of professional experience and an extensive portfolio in infrastructure projects across the globe, Eric has worked on rail, metro and highway projects in the UK, Dubai, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan and Ireland. He worked on immersed tunnel projects in Greece, Ireland and Hong Kong as well as energy projects in the UK, Abu Dhabi and the Bahamas, and numerous reservoirs and water works in Wales. He was conferred an Honorary Visiting Professor title by Cardiff University in 2015. Eric has an Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Civil and Structural Engineering from Cardiff University, a diploma in legal studies from Cardiff University, and a PhD in rock mechanics from the University of West Scotland.
Learn more
Do you want to learn more about our tunnel business or services? Explore our Tunnelling Hub online or contact Mark Claassen to start the conversation.