World Demolition Awards Shortlist - Civil

Photo: DDM Demontage

Congratulations to the following companies who made the Civils Demolition shortlist.

World Demolition Awards 2025 -Civils Demolition

DDM Demontage

COUNTRY: Germany

PROJECT: Reinbrucke Demolition

CLIENT: Hochtief Infrastruktur GmbH

STATEMENT:

The original Rheinbrücke Neuenkamp had long exceeded its technical lifespan. Tens of thousands of repairs were needed to keep the bridge safe and operational.

To handle increasing traffic, a new bridge was built alongside the old one. In March 2024, the dismantling of the original bridge began—a complex project led by Hochtief and the Dutch demolition company DDM. The demolition was carried out in reverse order of construction, requiring precise planning and accuracy.

One of the biggest challenges was developing a working method that met strict safety and environmental protection requirements. The safety of river traffic had to be continuously ensured.

Additionally, no materials were allowed to fall into the water, and no work could be performed from the river itself. These restrictions demanded an innovative approach.

A critical part of the project was removing the existing stay cables without the bridge collapsing under its own weight. To achieve this, DDM installed a new 25-ton pylon cap at 50 meters height to redirect the forces from temporary support cables and strand jacks.

Throughout the process, the new bridge remained operational and river traffic uninterrupted. Despite challenges such as high water levels that required relocating machinery, the project was completed on schedule within 20 months.

This project demonstrates exceptional expertise and sets a new standard in infrastructure dismantling.

Despe 

COUNTRY: Italy

PROJECT: Ex Centro Direzionale Alitalia

CLIENT: Freccia Alata

STATEMENT:

Photo: Despe

In a changing urban context, the regeneration of the neighbourhood was being hindered by a large, abandoned building complex. Due to its location between inhabited buildings and busy streets, its demolition required an extremely careful approach to ensure safety, quietness and an absence of vibrations.

The objective was clear: to work unobtrusively, respecting time, people and the environment. Every step was precisely planned, beginning with a detailed Operational Safety Plan.

The area was protected by barriers and electronic controls, and a real-time environmental monitoring system ensured compliance with regulatory limits. JUMBO, Europe’s largest excavator and a converted CAT 6015, was the star of the operation.

Weighing 351 tonnes and equipped with an 8.1 m³ bucket, JUMBO could dig to a depth of 7.9 m and deliver 556 kW of power. This allowed the use of heavy equipment while maintaining a safe distance.

Its structure is made of low-strength carbon steels that allow abnormal deformations to be detected, thereby increasing operational safety.

Supported by other large excavators, the team worked together to meet deadlines and maintain an open dialogue with the community. The result was an efficient, safe, well-integrated construction site that blended into the urban fabric, providing the city with a space ready for new life.

Max Wild

COUNTRY: Germany

PROJECT: Construction of crossover A3/A67 Mönchhof-Dreieck - Demolition of existing bridge structures

CLIENT: Die Autobahn GmbH des Bundes

STATEMENT:

Bridge demolition during operating traffic: That was the challenge for Max Wild during the demolition work of the connecting ramp above the highways A3 and A67.

Photo: Max Wild

To ensure that this process was carried out efficiently and safely while the highways were in use, the bridge superstructure had to be lifted 5.20 meters first, and then a 130-meter-long and 1,200-ton heavy supporting structure was inserted.

Max Wild dismantled the existing bridge, while the traffic on A3 and A67 below was not interrupted for single day.

The entire demolition process was meticulously designed and controlled to eliminate any risks for traffic on the busy highways. The total of 6,000 tons of concrete was demolished and fully recycled.

Before the demolition of old connecting ramp began, a supporting framework was inserted. The over 130-meter-long and 1,000-ton heavy scaffold was also positioned without any disruption to traffic flow.

The supporting framework provided protection for the highways below during the demolition works.

For the supporting framework to be inserted, the 104-meter-long and approximately 3,200-ton heavy bridge superstructure was lifted 5.20 meters.

The experts from Max Wild ‘stacked’ the bridge superstructure upwards using (20) hydraulic jacks. The jacking operation was controlled with a synchronized lifting system developed by Max Wild specifically for this project.

As a General Contractor, Max Wild was responsible for the complete services including project management, design, and the execution of all deconstruction works at the Mönchhof-Dreieck” Bridge, and has completed the project ahead of schedule, with significant cost savings for the owner.