Historic bridge project of the year

This award celebrates outstanding historic bridge projects .

Aecom
Yarm Viaduct Stabilisation & Repairs

The size and location of the existing structure posed significant physical, operational and social challenges but the scheme was successfully delivered through an exceptional collaborative team environment to ensure that the operational railway was unaffected, the refurbishment was sympathetic to the structures listed status and disruptions to nearby residents and properties was minimised. The project team has developed and adopted innovative design and construction technologies to provide preventative and reactive remedial works which will future proof and safeguard the historic Victorian structure and railway for years to come.

McAllister
NOS14 – Stratford High Street

The NOS14 Stratford Underbridge, a key component of Joseph Bazalgette’s 160-year-old sewer network, was at risk of structural failure, compromising both wastewater management and Stratford’s road system. Rather than replacing this historic asset, McAllister pioneered an innovative rehabilitation approach—installing Glass Reinforced Polymer (GRP) modules within the sewer and integrating them with the original Victorian structure. This seamless composite solution extends the bridge’s lifespan by 120 years while preserving its historic integrity. This project demonstrates engineering excellence in safeguarding critical heritage infrastructure through sustainable, low-maintenance, and cutting-edge technology.

Network Rail, John Sisk and Son & Bridon Bekaert
The Kingsferry Bridge Rope Replacement Project

The Kingsferry Bridge Rope Replacement Project The Kingsferry Bridge rope replacement project exemplifies engineering excellence in historical bridge preservation. By combining meticulous planning, innovative solutions, advanced technology, and strong stakeholder and community engagement,The Kingsferry Bridge rope replacement project exemplifies engineering excellence in historical bridge preservation. By combining meticulous planning, innovative solutions, advanced technology, and strong stakeholder and community engagement, the project ensured the continued operation of a vital heritage structure while minimising disruption, making it a deserving winner of the NCE Best Historical Bridge Project award. 

Project Centre
Refursbishing the historic Cookham Bridge

Cookham Bridge, a Grade II listed landmark built in 1867, connects Cookham and Bourne End. Facing structural issues like deteriorating steelwork, failing paint, and faulty bearings, the bridge was at risk of closure, which would cause major disruptions. Project Centre developed a remediation strategy, preserving the bridge’s historic features while addressing these concerns. Non-intrusive testing identified corrosion, leading to the replacement of trimmer beams and bearings, re-waterproofing, and repainting. Advanced materials like stainless steel bearings and galvanized coatings were used for durability. The project ensured minimal disruption with temporary jacking systems, maintaining both functionality and historic integrity for long-term sustainability. 

Spencer Bridge Engineering, UK Highways A55 & COWI UK
Menai Suspension Bridge Permanent Replacement Hangers

SBE’s work on the Menai Suspension Bridge is award-winning due to their exceptional ability to maintain a crucial, busy crossing during complex repairs in challenging conditions. Situated on the exposed west coast of Wales, Anglesey experiences harsh weather, including frequent heavy rainfall and gusty Atlantic winds year-round. Despite these adversities, SBE demonstrated unwavering commitment, ensuring the bridge remained operational while carrying out these vital works. Their resilience and meticulous approach are pivotal in preparing the bridge for its bicentennial in 2026, showcasing SBE’s skill in managing high-pressure projects while maintaining safety and minimising disruption. 

Tony Gee and Partners, Alun Griffiths & Network Rail
Barmouth Viaduct

The Grade II* listed Barmouth Viaduct is a crucial historical landmark which has a strong impact for local residents and tourists over 150 years. The refurbishment for the viaduct, completed by Griffiths, Tony Gee and Partners and Network Rail, has allowed for the modernisation of the structure through innovative design solutions without altering the overall appearance. On-site and technical challenges brought forth innovative solutions to ensure successful project delivery. The method-led design ensured the project was delivered safely, efficiently and to programme achieving praise from the local community and demonstrates what engineers can achieve and inspire the next generation. 

The Waterman Infrastructure and Environment
Grosvenor Bridge, Chester – Parapet Strengthening and Repair

The scheme involves innovative works to strengthen a section of parapet to the Grade 1 Listed Grosvenor Bridge following two traffic collisions to the parapet which resulted in masonry blocks falling onto a cycleway. The design was sympathetic to the aesthetics of bridge and has sufficient containment for errant vehicles. As well as the engineering challenges, we worked closely with heritage and conservation experts to ensure the proposals were acceptable to the local planners and Historic England. The site works were delivered safely, within the programme with minimal impact to the public and almost no visual impact to the structure.