Revitalizing History: Budapest’s Chain Bridge Wins 24th Construction Industry Excellence Award

The 24th Edition of the Construction Industry Excellence Award

The Construction Industry Master Prize Foundation announced the Construction Industry Excellence Award for the 24th time this year on behalf of the founders and participating organizations.

This year, the jury awarded the Construction Industry Excellence Prize to the renovation of Budapest’s pride, the magnificent Széchenyi Chain Bridge in the “Transport Infrastructure” category. The prestigious recognition was well deserved for the exceptional work completed by the team ahead of schedule.

The Chain Bridge also received the Hungarian Steel Structure Association’s award earlier this year. The renovation of the Chain Bridge, designed by FŐMTERV Zrt.-MSc Kft.-CÉH Zrt. consortium, funded by BKK Zrt., and executed by A-Híd Zrt., was honored with this esteemed award.

Acknowledging Excellence in Transportation Infrastructure

The judging committee recognized the efforts of all key stakeholders involved in the renovation of the Széchenyi Chain Bridge, including BKK Zrt. as the developer, A-Híd Zrt. as the main contractor, Budapest Közút Zrt. as the technical inspector, and FŐMTERV Zrt.-MSc Kft.-CÉH Zrt. consortium as the designer.

The award ceremony took place at the annual festive meeting of the Hungarian Association of Construction Entrepreneurs on December 12th alongside other significant accolades within Hungary’s construction industry.

Criteria for Evaluation

During the evaluation process, factors such as general architectural and technical assessment of structures were taken into consideration, along with technical quality and expertise in execution.

Recognition on a Global Scale

The Construction Industry Excellence Award is not the only prestigious accolade bestowed upon Budapest’s iconic Chain Bridge. In May, it received recognition from MAGÉSZ Hungarian Steel Structure Association as the “Steel Structure of the Year.” Additionally, it made its mark on an international level by being nominated for prominent awards such as European Steel Bridge Awards 2024 and International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE) Awards.

Restoring a Symbolic LandmarkSzéchenyi Chain Bridge

The renovation work on the Chain Bridge commenced in spring 2021 and concluded a month and a half ahead of schedule in summer 2023. The extensive restoration included refurbishing stone surfaces above road level, enhancing pedestrian underpasses, installing new pedestrian crossings, and implementing adjustable decorative lighting.

Bridging Past and Present

The Széchenyi Chain Bridge serves as a symbol of connection between Budapest’s past and present. It stands not only as a crossing point but also as a testament to unity through generations. The meticulous effort put in by all professionals involved has ensured that this bridge shines once again in its former glory – now serving as a safe and beautiful heritage for future generations to cherish.

Image source: BKK