At Innovate Hampton Roads, we recognize that the 757 is uniquely influenced by federal, state, and regional agencies. Because of that, we award two distinct honors that spotlight technical achievement in these sectors. One of those honors, Technical Achievement in Government, celebrates the large-scale, complex, and impactful technical projects being led by our local and state government partners.

Sponsored by Cox, this award highlights initiatives that demonstrate innovation, engineering excellence, and long-term regional impact. During 757 TechNite, Derrick Williams from Government Affairs at Cox joined Innovate Hampton Roads to help present this year’s honor.

THE FINALISTS

This year’s finalists represent two of the most ambitious and consequential infrastructure efforts underway in Hampton Roads.

Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD)
HRSD’s Sustainable Water Initiative for Tomorrow (SWIFT) embodies the One Water approach in action. The program polishes highly treated wastewater to drinking-water standards and returns it to the Potomac Aquifer, where it can be naturally stored and slowly released over time. Using an advanced multi-barrier treatment process, HRSD produces SWIFT Water® of exceptional purity, enabling aquifer recharge at a future design capacity of up to 50 million gallons per day.

The impact of SWIFT is significant. By restoring groundwater levels, the initiative helps curb land subsidence, slow saltwater intrusion, strengthen regional water resilience, and reduce nutrient loads entering the Chesapeake Bay. It represents a forward-thinking solution to long-term water sustainability challenges facing Hampton Roads.

Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) – Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel Expansion
VDOT’s Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT) Expansion is redefining what’s possible in mega-infrastructure projects. The effort deployed “Mary,” the world’s largest variable-density tunnel-boring machine, which recently completed excavation of two new tunnels beneath the Hampton Roads channel—doubling tunnel capacity at one of the most notorious choke points on I-64.

Another major technical achievement was the use of a TURN system that allowed the 2,500-ton boring machine to be turned around in under 12 hours, a remarkable engineering feat. Backed by a strong regional partnership with HRTAC and thoughtful funding strategies, the HRBT Expansion will leave a lasting legacy of improved safety, connectivity, and economic vitality for the region.

AND THE WINNER IS…

Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD)

HRSD’s SWIFT program stood out for its technical sophistication, environmental impact, and long-term regional benefits. By combining advanced treatment technology with natural aquifer recharge, SWIFT represents a bold, innovative approach to water management that directly addresses the unique challenges facing coastal communities like Hampton Roads.

Learn more about HRSD here. 

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