Winvic Construction Ltd has been recognised for its industry-leading approach to collaboration and project delivery, with the Orwell Bridge Westbound Joint Replacement scheme taking home the Judges' Outstanding Achievement Award at this year’s National Highways Asset Community East (ACE) "Better Together" Awards.

Delivered through National Highways' Scheme Delivery Framework (SDF) for the East Region, the project showcased Winvic’s commitment to collaboration, innovation, customer excellence, and health and safety leadership. The vital works involved the replacement of deteriorated expansion joints on the A14 Orwell Bridge, a key transport route linking the Port of Felixstowe with the wider UK road network.

Despite facing complex technical and logistical challenges, the project was completed safely, on time, and within budget. From the earliest planning stages, Winvic worked closely with National Highways, WSP, Chevron, Maurer, and Roocroft, ensuring a unified approach to delivery. Techniques such as hydro demolition helped protect the bridge’s structure, while bespoke engineering solutions addressed intricate design requirements. Advanced traffic modelling was also used to minimise disruption for road users.

The judges praised the Orwell Bridge project for its “exemplary demonstration of collaboration, customer focus, and stakeholder engagement at every stage,” highlighting its proactive communication strategy prior to works commencing — a move that built public confidence and reduced disruption.

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Through its collaborative approach, the project team was able to cut the construction programme from a potential 175 days to just 37 days, achieving £9 million in savings while delivering exceptional results in environmental performance, community engagement, and social value.

Local suppliers were engaged to strengthen the regional economy and reduce environmental impact, while the project team delivered several community initiatives — including school visits promoting safety awareness to over 120 pupils at Morland Primary School, volunteering at St Elizabeth’s Hospice’s pop-up shop in Ipswich, and public engagement events at the Suffolk Show and Buttermarket Centre to promote road safety and awareness of the scheme.

The award was presented by Paul Bowman, Chair of Asset Community East and representative from Colas.

Rob Cook, Winvic's Managing Director for Civils and Infrastructure, said: "Winning the Judges' Outstanding Achievement Award for the Orwell Bridge project is a proud moment for everyone involved. This success highlights how collaboration, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to safety and customer focus can turn complex challenges into industry-leading results. It’s an honour to see our project team and supply chain partners recognised for delivering excellence on such an important piece of infrastructure."

Winvic was also shortlisted in several categories, including Customer Experience of the Year, Project/Team of the Year, and Collaborative Project/Team of the Year. As both a finalist and sponsor of this year’s awards, the company continues to champion best practice, innovation, and continuous improvement across the UK’s highways network.

Rob Barron, National Highways Supplier Relationship Manager East, added: "The Orwell Bridge project has been recognised for exemplifying the Asset Community East’s ethos of ‘Better Together’. The Judges commended the initiative for its outstanding collaboration, customer-centric approach, and comprehensive stakeholder engagement throughout every phase - from early planning through to successful delivery.

"This Award honours all those involved for their unwavering commitment to partnership and collaborative working. The Judges were particularly impressed with the proactive communication and engagement strategies deployed before any physical works began. These efforts ensured good public awareness, built customer confidence, and minimised disruption - setting a benchmark for infrastructure projects across the region."