This volume includes the papers presented at the North American Tunneling 2002 Conference. The papers deal with three major aspects of underground construction: managing construction projects; public policy and underground facilities; and advances in technology.

The theme of this proceedings, Extreme Tunneling: Improving Progress, Cost, Performance, and Safety, was chosen to emphasize a number of significant milestones in underground construction, with particular reference to reduction of costs and to improvements in health and safety. The papers are grouped here under four main headings:

• Management of Underground Projects
• Public Policy and Underground Facilities
• Advances in Tunneling Technology
• Case Histories: The Trials, Tribulations and Triumphs of Underground Construction.

This work will be of interest to those involved in infrastructure development, tunneling, underground construction and other uses of underground space. Includes a cd-rom of the proceedings.

This publication includes papers from the North American Tunneling 2004 conference, sponsored by the American Underground Construction Association. The theme of the conference is "Underground Construction - the Sensible Solution to Urban Problems" to reflect the increasing importance of locating urban facilities in the United States underground for enhanced security, to build critical infrastructure where it is needed and to improve the function of urban areas.

The papers are grouped in four major themes:

- Management of Underground Projects

- Public Policy and Underground Projects

- Advances in Technology

- Case Studies: Trials, Tribulation and Triumphs in Tunneling

This work should benefit everyone involved in any aspect of infrastructure, tunneling and underground construction.

Grouped into six sections, the papers in this volume address a wide range of issues on the challenges and opportunities facing underground construction, and the use of underground space.