Delivering complex rail projects takes expertise, teamwork and vision - qualities that define Kaiyu Tong, UGL's Signalling Design Manager. His career is built on engineering excellence and a passion for building infrastructure that connects communities.
Kaiyu first joined UGL in 2018, starting in a technical role as a designer and tester on level crossing removal projects in Melbourne. After two years, he decided to broaden his experience, stepping into consulting to focus on stakeholder engagement and client coordination for 18 months.
But UGL’s reputation as a leading design house brought him back in 2021. He took on a key role on the Gippsland upgrade project managing packages across 140km of rail corridor and 100 location boxes.
“I came back because UGL is a fantastic design house. The scale and complexity of the projects here build great careers,” says Kaiyu.
Today, Kaiyu is at the forefront of one of Queensland’s most significant transport initiatives, the Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail Project. UGL and CPB Contractors, as part of the ActivUs Alliance, have commenced design and construction for the main works on this game-changing project.
As the Signalling Design Manager for the northern section, Kaiyu leads a scope ten-times larger than his previous projects. He works across multiple disciplines and collaborates with three other adjacent projects in this rail corridor, committed to delivering an upgraded railway service to the public — not only in preparation for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics but also to support long-term growth along the corridor. Kaiyu's leadership integrates inputs from multiple disciplines, including track and civil, structures, power, and telecommunications. He oversees these packages from both technical and financial perspectives.
“You don’t often get the chance to work on a project of this size," says Kaiyu. "It’s a once-in-a-career opportunity that challenges you on every level - technical, commercial, and leadership.”
What excites Kaiyu the most is knowing his work is transforming communities and improving public transport for the future.
“Every time I drive past a project I’ve worked on, I feel proud knowing I helped shape the future of our rail network,” he says. “Opportunities like these are rare and push you to grow - not just as an engineer, but as a leader too.”
As Queensland’s rail network evolves, Kaiyu’s contributions will leave a lasting legacy, improving connectivity, safety and convenience for future generations. His story highlights UGL’s role in driving innovation and excellence in Australia’s transport infrastructure.