The South Stockton link connects Ingleby Barwick - Europe's largest private housing development - and Stockton town centre to the national trunk road network.
This project, stage two of the scheme, included earthworks, bridge structures, roadworks, a challenging new interchange with the A66 dual carriageway, and crossing the Darlington to Saltburn railway. Most importantly, however, the project showed how a construction company can work to achieve excellence and value for money at the same time.
In all, some £2.8 million was saved through value engineering, including through the arrangement of the slip roads and replacing three bridges over the railway with a single tunnel.
The construction team focused on minimising disruption to the travelling public but maximising information provided to them - including school visits - winning safety awards in addition.
The Judges said:
"This project is a well-delivered new road link which will help improve communications and regeneration in the Tees Valley."