This paper describes the role of the Geotechnical Engineering Office, Civil Engineering and Development Department of the HongKong Special Administration Region (HKSAR) Government in exercising geotechnical control for a major railway project in HongKong. It highlights the geotechnical aspects of the tunnel works and how the geotechnical control process protects public safety and adds value by ensuring an adequate standard of design, site supervision and risk management is applied. The successful implementation of best geotechnical risk management practice in the project is strongly influenced by the commitment of the project client to follow the core element of the Joint Code of Practice for Risk Management of TunnellingWorks and to follow up on the results of the independent auditing under the geotechnical control process.