The Chemnitz Viaduct has been awarded the 2026 German Civil Engineering Prize, the Federal Republic of Germany’s state prize for outstanding civil engineering. Dr Olaf Joachim, State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Construction (BMWSB), presented the award on 14 October 2026 during the awards ceremony at the Academy of Arts on Pariser Platz in Berlin.
The State Prize is awarded to the engineering firm KREBS+KIEFER Ingenieure GmbH and DB InfraGO AG as the client.
With the German Civil Engineering Prize, the Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Construction and the Federal Chamber of Engineers recognise outstanding achievements in civil engineering. This year’s award ceremony highlights the central role that engineers play in shaping, maintaining and further developing our built environment.
State Secretary Dr Olaf Joachim: “The awards ceremony shines a spotlight on the civil engineering expertise our country possesses. It highlights the full breadth of knowledge and experience with which engineers ensure, day in and day out, that roads, bridges, railways and buildings are maintained and constructed. And it demonstrates the innovative spirit with which these brilliant minds tackle current challenges and put them into practice in their projects.
For instance, the use of sustainable raw materials and the efficient management of resources are key priorities in many construction projects. The preservation of existing structures, the use of innovative building materials and the application of modern methods such as digital planning play a vital role in this. Through their exceptional commitment, not only the award winners but also the participants in the competition serve as role models.”
Dr.-Ing. Heinrich Bökamp, President of the Federal Chamber of Engineers: “The award-winning projects demonstrate the full range of what engineers achieve: they maintain our infrastructure, develop innovative structures and combine technical excellence with sustainability. The Chemnitz Viaduct is an outstanding example of how we can make existing infrastructure fit for the future. At the same time, I am particularly pleased to honour young engineers and their innovative ideas with the Young Engineers’ Award. They are shaping the civil engineering of tomorrow.”
Chemnitz Viaduct: Civil engineering in existing structures
The Chemnitz Viaduct particularly impressed the jury with its consistent approach to working with existing structures. The listed railway viaduct was restored through targeted reinforcement measures and the replacement of individual components, whilst at the same time being adapted to the current and future requirements of rail transport.
This engineering achievement thus combines the preservation of historic structures with the requirements of modern infrastructure. Rather than replacing the existing structure with a new one, its fabric was analysed, specifically reinforced and made fit for further use. The project thus serves as an exemplary demonstration of how engineers, through precise planning and innovative technical solutions, can help to conserve resources and extend the service life of existing infrastructure.
This approach is becoming increasingly important, particularly in view of the considerable need for refurbishment of bridges and other civil engineering structures. The Chemnitz Viaduct thus exemplifies key future challenges in civil engineering: preserving existing structures, further developing them technically and adapting them to new requirements in the long term.
Source: Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Construction