The COB is The Netherlands Knowledge Centre for Underground Construction and Underground Space. Over sixty organisations, from government, industry and knowledge institutes, work together to learn and develop smart solutions regarding tunnels. This network has developed a long-term vision on tunnels in The Netherlands. As a result, nineteen tunnels and all stakeholders collaborate on eight research topics of our tunnel programme. We found common ground and the key issues are already being addressed in both practice and science. Topics include risks, construction failure, modular renovation, digital tunnel twin, virtual testing, virtual education and system safety. The way clients, science and industry work together within the COB network has been a major precondition to achieve these great results in such a short period of time.