Bridge building is always more than just engineering - the Bridge Builder of the Year has been revealed

This year, at the beginning of June, the Association for Bridgemen organised the 14th Bridging Days in Siófok, the largest event of the Hungarian bridging profession. During the three-day event, among others, the Bridger of the Year and Young Engineer of the Year awards were presented.

Previous winners' votes decided

According to a report sent to our newspaper, the aim of the Engineer of the Year Award, established in 1994, is to set professional role models for the engineering community and to highlight work that often takes place behind the scenes but carries all the greater responsibility. This year's award went to István Wunderlich, project manager of Duna Aszfalt Zrt., based on an internal vote by previous winners of the award.

„It is an honour and a huge responsibility for me to receive this award in 2025,” the expert told our newspaper, who, among other things, played a key role in the Tomori Pál bridge project in the Paks area.

Tangible results of expertise, ownership and cooperation

He stressed that the prize is not just about him. "The work behind it is always a team effort: the result of the joint thinking, discussions and solutions of designers, builders, experts and young colleagues."

He added that their outstanding joint project was the Tomori Pál Bridge, which was awarded another top prize by the Hungarian Steel Structure Association the STEEL STRUCTURE OF THE YEAR AWARD. „This is a project where engineering knowledge, responsibility and cooperation have taken tangible form,” said István Wunderlich. „Thank you for your trust, your collaboration and the supportive community of professionals! Bridge construction is never just an engineering task: it always builds relationships too,” he concluded.

The public transport sector was also represented at the event

At the event in Siofok, the Young Engineer of the Year award, established by the Foundation for Road Professionals, was also presented. The award was created for young engineers, technicians and economists under 35 years of age in the infrastructure development sector. The award is also open for applications from design, construction, road management and research professionals.

This year's winners were Gábor Horváth, Duna Aszfalt Zrt. technician; and István Tímár, A-Híd Zrt. technician. The awards were presented by Dr. Frigyes Törőcsik, founder of the Foundation for Road Professionals, and Zoltán Lehel, President of the Foundation.

The trust we received from the beginning meant a lot

"For me, this award is not only a recognition, but also a valuable feedback that what I do with dedication is of value and importance not only to me, but also to others" - Gábor Horváth told Magyar Építők. "It is a huge confirmation that I can build on in the future. It is also a symbol of the joint work we have done together with our colleagues on the construction of the Tomori Pál Bridge."

The young professional who won the award also played a key role in the construction of the Tomori Paul Bridge, where he worked as a structural steel construction manager for Duna Aszfalt from the project preparation phase to the handover. He particularly emphasised that his professional development started at Duna Aszfalt, as it was his first job. "I am grateful for the fact that they trusted me from the beginning, encouraged me and threw me into deep water right from the start," said Gábor Horváth. "I had to learn to listen, to ask the right questions at the right time, and to combine the advice I received with my existing knowledge - a process that helped me to become a true professional. All the years I spent here, the projects I completed and the professional advice I received from my colleagues helped me to have not only knowledge but also real experience."

List of winners

The following awards were presented at this year's Hydra Days, organised between 3 and 5 June.

• The Young Engineer of the Year Award of the Foundation for Road Professionals: Gábor Horváth (Duna Aszfalt Zrt.) and István Tímár (A-HÍD Zrt.)
• Bridge Designer of the Year, János Feketeházy Award: Ákos Kővári (Unitef'83 Zrt.)
• Bridge builder of the year, Massányi Károly Award: János Heringer (Cardium Kft.)
• Bridge Engineer of the Year, Árpád Apáthy Award: Gábor Dobó (Utiber Kft.)
• Bridger of the Year 2025, based on an internal vote of previous award holders: István Wunderlich (Duna Aszfalt Zrt.)
• Ádám Clark Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Gábor Köllő and Dr. Dénes Dalmy