A Landmark Year as Beaver Bridges Reaches the NCE Bridge Awards Finals

For us at Beaver Bridges, the New Civil Engineer (NCE) Bridge Awards represent the absolute pinnacle of achievement in our industry. Often described as the “Oscars” of bridge engineering, these awards celebrate the most innovative and technically demanding projects across the United Kingdom.

We are incredibly proud to share that we have reached a major milestone this year by being named a finalist in three highly competitive categories.

We are currently in contention for:

• Bridge Contractor of the Year
• Active Travel Project of the Year (Tywi and Cothi Active Travel Bridges)
• Historic Bridge Project of the Year (Millers Dale Viaduct Historic Bridge Project)

Internal Recognition for External Success

Being named a finalist at this level provides vital validation for the collective effort of our entire team. In our industry, much of the complex, foundational work we do often remains unnoticed by the public, but this recognition shines a welcome light on the technical mastery we pour into every project to bring it from an initial concept to successful completion.

As a full turnkey provider, we operate a multi-disciplinary workforce that manages every single phase of the bridge-building lifecycle. This shortlist is a true testament to the skill of our in-house design engineers and CAD technicians who translate complex requirements into buildable plans. It equally honours the precision of our fabricators in the workshops, the logistical expertise of our transport teams, and the grit of our site teams who execute installations in often challenging environments.

The shortlisting for Bridge Contractor of the Year is particularly meaningful to us. It acknowledges our operational growth, our unwavering commitment to safety, and our ability to deliver high-performance infrastructure consistently. This category evaluates Beaver Bridges as a whole, looking beyond individual structures to the internal culture and technical standards that drive our organisation forward.

Spotlight on Technical Achievement

These project-specific nominations serve as a direct testament to the sheer range of engineering challenges our team tackles every day.

Seeing the Tywi and Cothi Active Travel Bridges recognised for Active Travel Project of the Year is a proud moment for us because it reflects our ability to deliver more than just a crossing. We worked tirelessly to ensure these structures provide a seamless blend of aesthetic appeal and rugged durability, creating a sustainable link that truly connects the local community. For us, it is about more than steel and bolts; it is about our commitment to encouraging a greener way for people to move. This impact was echoed perfectly by our delivery partners on the project:

“Beaver Bridges were a key delivery partner on the Tywi Valley Path, successfully building and installing the new River Tywi and River Cothi bridges for Walters. Their team delivered high-quality structures that improve access for walking and cycling, helping connect communities between Llanarthne, Cilsan and beyond.

Throughout, Beaver Bridges managed the logistical and environmental challenges of river installations professionally, safely and with excellent collaboration, making a tangible contribution to this flagship active travel route.” – Owen Jones, Project Manager, Walters

At the same time, being named a finalist for the Millers Dale Viaduct Historic Bridge Project pushed us into a completely different technical territory. We had to ensure the viaduct’s original character remained untouched while quietly integrating the modern safety and structural standards expected of a 21st-century bridge. This project highlights our unique ability to problem-solve within high-profile, sensitive environments, proving that we can respect the engineering of the past while securing its future.

Reflecting on the historical weight of the project, the significance of restoring this iconic landmark cannot be understated:

“It has been a great honour to work on the iconic Millers Dale Viaduct, originally built by the Midland Railway in 1863. The viaduct formed the link to Millers Dale station, where passengers joined and left trains travelling between London and Manchester.

 Although the station closed in 1967, large sections of the former track bed now form part of the Monsal Trail, a very popular active travel route enjoyed by thousands of people each year.” – Pete Dalzell, Managing Director

Looking Ahead

The 2026 NCE Bridge Awards ceremony will bring together the most influential figures in civil engineering to celebrate the year’s greatest achievements. For Beaver Bridges, being part of this elite group reinforces our position as a leader in the UK bridge market and a specialist capable of tackling the most complex infrastructure challenges.

Whether we are building the clean infrastructure of the future or preserving the landmarks of the past, our team remains dedicated to engineering excellence.

Our focus now turns to the awards evening, where the winners will be announced among a field of the industry’s most respected peers.

Discover our award-worthy projects.

To explore the technical details of our shortlisted schemes and see the full scope of our bridge-building capabilities, visit our website at www.beaverbridges.co.uk.

For real-time updates from our site teams, detailed case studies, and the latest news on our award journey, follow Beaver Bridges on LinkedIn.