Winners 2024

Active travel project of the year

Winner:

• Tynybryn Active Travel Bridge - BakerHicks and Balfour Beatty 

"The judges were impressed by extensive community engagement and local funding sourced and this entry scored highly across the board. Using innovative techniques and sustainable material allowed the project to be delivered impressively under budget and ahead of programme. What a great example!" 

Finalists:

• Bracklinn Falls Footbridge - Cake Engineering and Beam Architects
  
• Chiverton Bridge - Mace and Costain
  
• Henley Gate - Beaver Bridges
• Longthorpe Footbridge - Delivering Active Travel Infrastructure for Peterborough - Milestone Infrastructure
• Market Gate Bridge - Keltbray and Waterman Group 
• Newport Active Travel Bridge - Arup, Grimshaw, Alun Griffiths, Cass Hayward and Newport City Council
• Replacement of Existing Bridges on the Formartine and Buchan Way - Systra

Best new bridge concept design

Winner:

• Network Rail - Footbridges and Subways Design Manual

"The judges found the concept for a published suite of standard bridge designs for use on the rail network with the facility to adjust to each site excellent. Network Rail positively addresses all the criteria and solves a problem of how to provide crossings with social value clearly considered through the user criteria and high aesthetic benchmark. Good consideration for whole-life aspects, including maintenance and decommissioning. Keep up the good work!" 

Finalists:

• One world Design Architects with Expedition Engineering and Beckett Rankine - The Cremorne (Diamond Jubilee) Footbridge
• Pramod Kumar Singh - Composite RCC Deck and Prestressed Parabolic Bottom Chord Underslung Open Web Steel Girder Bridge Superstructure
  

Bridge architect of the year

Winner:

• Weston Williamson + Partners

"Weston Williamson + Partners demonstrated a holistic nature of consideration when problem solving for the projects presented. They also documented a very clear mission going forward to integrate sustainability into their team and business with some very strong projects included within their portfolio. Congratulations!"

Highly commended:

• Beam Architects

 Finalist:

• Grimshaw

Bridge consultant of the year

Winner:

• Cake Engineering

"Cake Industries have a unique business model, combining consultancy and fabrication. They have used this to great effect to deliver outstanding projects. The entry highlighted their knowledge sharing in industry and exciting plans for future work. The company is having outsized impact for its size and the focus on products is unusual and valuable. The judges look forward to seeing what you do next!"

Finalists:

• Cass Hayward
• Pell Frischmann
• Ramboll
• Rendel

Bridge contractor of the year

Winner:

• Beaver Bridges

"This was a technically outstanding submission, showcasing clear leadership and a strong focus on people. It would be fantastic to see more details on how their ambitious goals will be achieved. The judges are very excited to see where Beaver Bridges is heading in the future. Well done!"

Highly commended:

• VolkerLaser

Finalists:

• Balfour Beatty Vinci Joint Venture; SPMT Bridge Drive
• Briton Fabricators
• Graham
• Vinci Construction Grand Projets

Bridge engineer rising star

Winner: 

• Ioannis Koromilas - Rendel

"This winner’s input into foundation design improvement with detail on carbon reduction and time savings was impressive. The value and impact of this work was well received and added value to the design process. Clear ambitions to be technical director will be bolstered by his efforts to continually seek feedback and input from others. Well done Ioannis!"

Highly commended:

• Helen Rowe - Kent County Council 

Finalists:

• Michael Duvall - Hewson Consulting Engineers
• Ashley Game - Ringway Jacobs
• Callum Gillett - Ringway Jacobs
• Katy Hodgson - Align JV
• Andrus Kolossov - DYSE
• Jerome Maitrier - Align JV
• Sam Poulson - Ramboll
• Natalia Ximenes - Align JV

Bridge inspection project of the year

Winner:

• Keadby Bridge Inspection - Aecom

"The judges were highly impressed by this winner’s excellent use of innovative techniques to collect 3D data, which was then strategically applied to target tactile inspections. This approach significantly reduced safety risks and minimized disruption to users. The careful prioritization of data for reporting and assessment was commendable, ensuring that the inspection report provides an exceptionally detailed record of the structure. This detailed record will be invaluable for informing subsequent inspections and determining degradation rates. A great project!"

Finalists:

• 360 Camera Surveys - Aecom
• Bermuda Swing Bridge - Ramboll
• Gateshead Viaduct PI 23 - Aecom
• Inspect with S-Lynks - Geocomp

Bridge maintenance contractor of the year

Winner:

• Balvac

"Our winner here placed a strong emphasis on people within their business, providing substantial support and resources for their staff. The submission highlighted a robust commitment to safety and sustainability. Additionally, Balvac demonstrated a solid process for succession planning and the education of future leaders, showcasing their dedication to long-term growth and development. Well done! "

Finalists:

• Goldhawk Bridge Restoration
• ScaffFloat

Bridge management project of the year

Winner:

• King Edward Bridge CP6 PACE Phase 2 - Bam UK&I

"The judges were impressed by the teams’ use of emerging technologies that could be applied elsewhere. They found the use of new technology to minimise the impact of works to the operational use of the Grade II listed bridge for the client outstanding, which also gives a greater understanding of the asset for future inspections and maintenance works. Keep it up!"

Highly commended:

• Network Rail Panoptic Bridge Management Project - Waldeck (on behalf of Waldeck, Network Rail, Nottingham Trent University, Birmingham City University) 

Finalist:

• Asset Strategy for Bridges - Canal & River Trust 

Bridge project team of the year

Winner:

• Beca (on behalf of the SH25a team: Beca, Tonkin+Taylor, Fulton Hogan, McConnell Dowell and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi)

"The judges felt the project team rose to the extraordinary challenge of collaborating to reconnect this key route, in a remote location. The bridge was delivered significantly ahead of an already accelerated programme. The submission evidenced a number of techniques employed by the team that could be used to benefit future projects. Great work all round!"

Highly commended:

• C1-Align Integrated Project Team

Finalists:

• BakerHicks and Balfour Beatty -  Tynybryn Active Travel Bridge
• Balvac, National Highways, Amey -  Area 10 Bridge Repair and Maintenance
• Bam Farrans Joint Venture
• Crouch Waterfall, Balfour Beatty Rail, Network Rail
• Mott MacDonald Systra Design JV with Weston Williamson + Partners and Balfour Beatty Vinci JV -  Excellent Collaborative Culture in Action on HS2 Phase 1 Main Works Civils Contracts N1 and N2
• Skanska -  SAS Bridge 13
• Waldeck, Network Rail, Nottingham Trent Univerity, Birmingham City University -  Panoptic Bridge Management Solution

Historic bridge project of the year

Winner:

• Union Chain Bridge Restoration - Spencer Group

"The judges found this to be a particularly exciting project which demonstrated an excellent example of stakeholder engagement and collaboration across a broad range of organisations. The project scored very highly across all categories, and the panel particularly liked the innovative solution to temporary work implemented within this project. The extensive refurbishment rather than replacement really helps to keep its sense of place in the local environment and has a significant carbon saving. Well done!" 

Finalists:

• A513 Chetwynd Grade 2* Listed Bridge Refurbishment - Staffordshire County Council and Amey
• Barmouth Viaduct Metallic Works - Network Rail
• King Edward Bridge CP6 PACE Phase 2 - Bam UK&I
• Menai Bridge Emergency Works - Spencer Bridge Engineering
• Parkhead Viaduct Strengthening and Refurbishment - Pell Frischmann
• Stanway Viaduct- Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway, David Symonds Associates, Walsh Construction
• Tintern Wireworks Bridge Refurbishment and Strengthening - AtkinsRéalis

Innovation in bridge inspection

Winner:

• Niricson and Arcadis Partnership - AI Enhanced Bridge Condition Data

"The judges found this to be an exceptional, exciting entry explaining the innovative use of drone and additional technology, saving deploying people with hammers to determine areas of cracking, delamination and voiding. Change over time is crucial and focussing on areas of critical importance over reporting every defect helps manage a large portfolio of structures. An excellent innovation!"

Finalists:

• Aecom - 360 Camera Surveys
• Aecom -  Gateshead Viaduct PI 23
• AtkinsRéalis -  National Highways Structures Moonshot
• Bam UK&I -  King Edward Bridge CP6 PACE Phase 2
• ProDroneWorx -  Using Terrestrial Laser Scanning and Drone Technology to Inspect and Survey Foryd Bridge
• Ramboll -  Bermuda Swing Bridge
• Waldeck (on behalf of Waldeck, Network Rail, Nottingham Trent University, Birmingham City University) -  Network Rail Panoptic Bridge Management Project

Innovation in carbon reduction

Winner:

• Network Rail - FLOW Footbridge

"The FLOW footbridge is a great example of using modern construction methods and materials to achieve carbon savings both in the permanent structure and during construction. The judges acknowledged the Mark 1 bridge’s reduced carbon footprint compared to steel and appreciated its potential for further innovation. Additionally, they were impressed by the design's scalability and its ability to be dismantled and reused. Well done!"

Finalists:

• EKFB (Eiffage-Kier-Ferrovial Construction-BAM Nuttall Joint Venture), ASC (Arcadis-Setec-COWI Joint Venture) and HS2 -  Cutting Carbon in Landmark Bridge Design
• FJD Consulting -  ICE Award Winning Capital Carbon Assessment Tool - Enhanced for Bridges
• Tensar, Arcadis, EKFB, Geofem, Coffey Geotechnics -  Design and Construction Carbon Reductions for HS2 Station Road Network Rail Overbridge with Polymer Geogrid Reinforced Soil Wall Abutments and Wingwalls on Shallow Foundations

Innovation in climate resilience

Winner:

• Bam Nutall Mott MacDonald JV - Apperley Lane Bridge

"The judges were particularly impressed that the broader considerations for various extreme flood events, as well as the impact of flood debris on the bridge itself were taken into account, without the need for a new bridge, honouring the heritage of this Grade II listed structure, that will now safeguard the community around the River Aire. Keep up the excellent work!"

Finalists:

• Arup, Griffiths and Welsh Government -  A487 New Dyfi Bridge
• The University of Salford and University of Manchester -  Behaviour of Masonry Arch Bridges Subject to Flood Flow and Floating Debris Impact

International bridge project of the year

Winner:

• Innovative Technology of Wenzhou Oujiang River North Estuary Bridge, China - China ZheJiang Institute of Communications

"A remarkable feat of engineering both in design and constructability using new robotic techniques. Excellent responses clearly demonstrating design excellence and breaking barriers in the innovation of suspension bridge design delivering value for the client. Aesthetically pleasing and a benchmark for future bridge design and construction." 

Finalists:

• Dubai Creek Harbour Central Footbridge -  AKT II, KEO, IJP Architects
• Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge Washington DC - Beam Architects
  
• Mumbai Trans Harbour Link Package 2 - Ramboll
• Port Lands Bridges - Grimshaw, Entuitive and SBP
• Requalification Pont du Lion, France - Sterling Presser Architects+Engineers 
• Salmon Weir Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge - AtkinsRéalis, Galway City Council and Jons Civil Engineering
  
• Taiyuan Park Bridge, China - Sterling Presser Architects+Engineers 

Outstanding contribution to the industry

Winner:

• Brian Duguid, Mott MacDonald

"Over the past 18 months, Brian has championed the Net Zero agenda within the bridge industry. His proactive initiatives, such as forming and chairing the UK Net Zero Bridges Group, launching their website and LinkedIn page, and presenting at key industry conferences, underscore his commitment to driving decarbonisation and fostering collaboration across the field. His work has not only been respected industry-wide but has also significantly raised awareness and shaped best practices in sustainable bridge engineering."

Rail bridge project of the year

Winner:

• Parkhead Viaduct Strengthening and Refurbishment - Pell Frischmann 

"The judges felt this project provided an innovative low-carbon solution, with significant efforts given to retaining and preserving the original structure, supporting biodiversity, and keeping a sense of place. The team has made good use of novel technology for the long-term monitoring of the structure, which could potentially provide valuable information on the performance of other similar structures within the network. A worthy winner!"

Highly commended:

• Precast Segmental Viaducts - Vinci Construction Grands Projets - Systra

 Finalists:

• Buxton Road Railway Bridge Reconstruction - Arcadis 
• FLOW Footbridge - Network Rail
• HS2 - C1- Align JV
• Innovating for Modern Day Bridge Building in Britain - EKFB JV (HS2)
• Machynlleth Rail Arch - OTB Engineering, Alun Griffiths, Shotcrete Services, Powys County Council, Welsh Government and Network Rail
  
• Nuneham Viaduct - Crouch Waterfall, Balfour Beatty Rail, Network Rail 
• Ravenscraig Bridge - Story Contracting

Road bridge project of the year

Winner:

• Herring Bridge - Bam Farrans Joint Venture

"The judges found this project to be a very impressive and interesting scheme. The project demonstrated an impressive scheme under challenging conditions, meeting time and budget targets. It featured a well-structured approach with clear coverage of the judging criteria and significant attention to minimizing carbon impacts. Enhancing community wellbeing and resilience, while blending seamlessly with the landscape and incorporating innovative construction methods was commendable. Keep it up!"

Highly commended:

• The A487 New Dyfi Bridge - Alun Griffiths, Welsh Government and Arup 

Finalists:

• A939 Gairnshiel Jubilee Bridge - Wills Bros Civil Engineering 
• Beaulieu Parkway Project - Graham
  
• Pontydd Bodfel and Bodefail Bridges - Ymgynghoriaeth Gwynedd Consultancy