July 2026
Colne Valley Viaduct Wins NCE Bridge Award
Photo credit: New Civil Engineer
We are delighted to announce that the High Speed Two (HS2) Colne Valley Viaduct (CVV) has won the NCE Bridge Award for Rail Project of the Year.
The Colne Valley Viaduct is a landmark infrastructure project in the development of HS2. Spanning 3.4 km, it is the longest railway bridge in the UK and a critical link in the HS2 network, crossing a diverse stretch of countryside in the Colne Valley. Once operational, it will carry high-speed trains traveling at up to 320 km/h (200 mph).
The viaduct’s design was led by Align D, a collaboration of Jacobs, Rendel Limited, Ingérop, Align JV and Grimshaw, from tender through to scheme and detailed design. Construction was undertaken by the Align JV, comprising Bouygues Travaux Publics UK, Sir Robert McAlpine, and VolkerFitzpatrick, with support from subcontractors including VSL International Ltd., Kilnbridge, and KVJV, among others.
This latest recognition adds to the project’s growing list of achievements. Previously the Align JV Colne Valley Viaduct Team won the Project Team Excellence Award at the 2025 British Construction & Infrastructure (BCI) Awards, and the project also received an IABSE Award in the Large Road and Rail Bridges category in 2025.
Congratulations to everyone involved in the Colne Valley Viaduct. This award is a testament to the dedication, innovation and teamwork that have gone into delivering this landmark project.