Timothy Smirnoff, P.E., Ph.D., has joined HDR as tunneling practice lead. Based in the Pasadena, California, office, Smirnoff is responsible for bringing HDR’s collective expertise to help clients find high-value tunnel solutions and manage the risks that often accompany such projects.
With 44 years of industry experience, Smirnoff has a thorough understanding of the technical challenges involved with the design and construction of tunnels. He has planned and designed more than 250 miles of tunnels and appurtenant structures, and served as chief tunnel engineer for some of the world’s most notable infrastructure projects throughout North America, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore and the Middle East.
For the multi-billion dollar Los Angeles to San Fernando Valley Red Line, Smirnoff led the design for Segments 2 and 3 which cross the Hollywood Fault. The design included a specific seismic feature that allows the tunnel to move with the ground as seismic waves pass, minimizing potential damage.
Smirnoff holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in civil engineering, and a Ph.D. in civil engineering from Carnegie-Mellon University.
He holds a number of professional affiliations with industry-leading organizations including the American Society of Civil Engineers, the International Society of Rock Mechanics and the Underground Research Technology where he is a member of the URT’s Technical Committee on Tunnel Lining Design.
