Duisburg Secures €27.96 Million Contract for Dyke Rehabilitation and B288 Road Elevation

A contract for dyke rehabilitation and the elevation of the B288 federal road worth €27.96 million has been awarded by Wirtschaftsbetriebe Duisburg on behalf of the City of Duisburg. The contract, won by Eiffage Infra-West GmbH, demonstrates how German municipalities are investing in flood protection and infrastructure resilience in response to climate change and rising river levels.

Introduction

Every community along Germany's major rivers faces the challenge of protecting its citizens and infrastructure from flooding. In the Mündelheim district of Duisburg, the Rhine River presents a constant flood risk. The City of Duisburg has taken a significant step to enhance flood protection and infrastructure resilience by awarding a major contract for dyke rehabilitation and the elevation of the B288 federal road.

This is not just a headline-grabbing infrastructure deal; it is a critical project that combines flood protection with transport infrastructure, demonstrating how German municipalities are addressing the challenges of climate resilience and urban adaptation.

Why This Contract Matters

The Mündelheim Rhine bend is a flood-prone area where the dyke system requires rehabilitation to meet modern flood protection standards. Additionally, the B288 federal road, which runs through the area, needs to be elevated to maintain safe transport connections while allowing for improved flood protection measures.

The project includes the rehabilitation and set-back of the dyke in the Mündelheim Rhine bend, the elevation of the B288 road on a viaduct structure over approximately 1,300 metres, the construction of stormwater retention basins, and the creation of a new 3-zone dyke section. This integrated approach addresses both flood protection and transport infrastructure needs.

Contract Timeline

• Previous notice referenced: 856444-2025
• Contract award notice published: 28 July 2026 (OJ S 143/2026)
• Contract concluded: 27 July 2026
• Coverage start date: 15 June 2026
• Coverage end date: 31 December 2029

Contract Overview

Wirtschaftsbetriebe Duisburg, on behalf of the City of Duisburg, conducted an open procedure for the rehabilitation and set-back of the dyke in the Mündelheim Rhine bend and the elevation of the B288 federal road. The contract covers a comprehensive range of construction works, including bridge construction, roadworks, drainage, dyke construction, and road demolition.

The total contract value awarded is €27,958,194.69. The contract duration is approximately 3.5 years (from June 2026 to December 2029). The procurement received ten tenders, with Eiffage Infra-West GmbH selected as the winner based on price (100% weighting).

Key Contract Details

Detail	Information
Contracting Authority	Wirtschaftsbetriebe Duisburg (on behalf of the City of Duisburg)
Winning Bidder	Eiffage Infra-West GmbH
Contract Subject	Road viaduct construction work (CPV 45221121), Bridge construction work (CPV 45221110)
Procedure Type	Open procedure
Legal Basis	Directive 2014/24/EU, VOB/A-EU
Value of Contract Awarded	€27,958,194.69
B288 Road Elevation Length	Approximately 1,300 metres
Contract Duration	15 June 2026 – 31 December 2029
Award Criteria	Price (100%)
Bids Received	10
EU Funding	None disclosed
Covered by GPA	Yes
Review Organisation	Vergabekammer Rheinland

Project Scope

The contract covers a comprehensive range of construction works for dyke rehabilitation and road elevation:

• Bridge Construction: New bridge construction for the elevation of the B288 federal road over approximately 1,300 metres.
• Dyke Crossing: Overpass of the B288 over the dyke defence path.
• Temporary Bypass: Temporary bypass around the western abutment.
• Stormwater Retention Basins: Construction of a stormwater retention basin and a stormwater clarification basin on the eastern side of the elevation, with associated drainage channels.
• Stormwater Clarification Basin: Stormwater clarification basin with discharge point into the Rhine on the western side of the installation.
• New Dyke Section: Construction of a short section of the new 3-zone dyke (approximately dyke km 4+520 to 4+600) with dyke crown path and landside dyke defence path.
• Road Ramps: Road ramp to the bridge with bicycle ramps to the dyke defence path.
• Road Demolition: Demolition of the old B288 road alignment.
• Earthworks: Earth fill at the bridge abutment.
• Path Network: Expansion of the path network.

The execution planning is to be prepared by the contractor. The project is located in the Duisburg-Mündelheim district, a flood-prone area along the Rhine River.

About the Contracting Authority

Wirtschaftsbetriebe Duisburg - AöR (Duisburg Economic Enterprises) is a public company owned by the City of Duisburg, responsible for managing municipal infrastructure, including flood protection, roads, and public utilities. The company operates in the public interest, managing a wide range of infrastructure projects on behalf of the city. This project is being delivered on behalf of the City of Duisburg's Department VI (Dezernat VI).

About the Winning Company

Eiffage Infra-West GmbH is a large German construction company, part of the international Eiffage Group, one of Europe's leading construction and civil engineering companies. Based in Borken, North Rhine-Westphalia, Eiffage Infra-West specialises in infrastructure projects, including bridge construction, roadworks, and civil engineering. The company has extensive experience in large-scale infrastructure projects and is well-positioned to deliver this complex dyke rehabilitation and road elevation project.

Procurement Analysis

Procedure: An open procedure was used, following the German VOB/A-EU (Construction Contract Procedures). Ten tenders were received, all submitted electronically.

Competition: Ten bids were received for this contract, indicating strong competition in the German infrastructure construction market. The range of tenders was significant, from €27,958,194.69 to €38,365,923.72, with the winning bid being the lowest admissible tender.

Award Criteria: Price was the sole award criterion with 100% weighting. This reflects the nature of construction works where technical specifications are clearly defined in the tender documents, making price the primary differentiator among qualified bidders.

Strategic Procurement: No strategic procurement objectives were specified, indicating that this was a standard infrastructure procurement.

GPA Status: The procurement is covered by the World Trade Organization's Government Procurement Agreement (GPA), meaning it was, in principle, open to qualifying international bidders.

Additional Procurement Facts

• Ten tenders were received, all submitted electronically.
• The contract value is €27.96 million.
• The B288 road elevation covers approximately 1,300 metres.
• The project includes stormwater retention and clarification basins.
• The contract includes construction of a new 3-zone dyke section.
• Execution planning is to be prepared by the contractor.
• No EU funding was used for this procurement.
• Disputes or review requests fall to the Vergabekammer Rheinland.

Market & Industry Perspective

The German infrastructure construction market is competitive, with numerous contractors capable of delivering large-scale projects. The ten bids received for this contract reflect a healthy level of competition for a major infrastructure project.

The price-only award criterion (100% price) reflects the nature of construction works where technical specifications are clearly defined. With the scope of work detailed in the tender documents, the contracting authority can compare bids primarily on cost while ensuring that all bidders meet the technical requirements.

The significant range of bids (€27.96 million to €38.37 million) reflects the different approaches and pricing strategies of the bidders, with Eiffage Infra-West submitting the lowest admissible tender.

Economic Significance

At €27.96 million, this contract represents a significant investment in flood protection and transport infrastructure in the Duisburg area. The project will enhance flood protection for the Mündelheim district, improve the resilience of the B288 federal road, and contribute to the region's climate adaptation efforts.

For Eiffage Infra-West, the contract provides a substantial revenue stream and the opportunity to demonstrate its capabilities on a major infrastructure project in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Future Procurement Opportunities

This contract covers dyke rehabilitation and road elevation through December 2029. Related procurement opportunities may include:

• Other flood protection and dyke rehabilitation projects
• Infrastructure adaptation projects in response to climate change
• Road and bridge construction projects
• Stormwater management and drainage projects

Opportunities for Suppliers

Construction companies active in the German public sector should note the growing demand for flood protection and climate adaptation infrastructure. The price-only award criterion rewards suppliers who can offer competitive pricing while delivering high-quality work.

Key success factors include: competitive pricing, proven experience in large-scale infrastructure projects, strong project management capabilities, and the ability to deliver complex projects within tight deadlines.

What Businesses Should Watch

• Similar flood protection and climate adaptation projects in other German regions.
• The evolution of flood protection standards and requirements.
• Opportunities for subcontracting with Eiffage Infra-West on this project.
• Other infrastructure projects from Wirtschaftsbetriebe Duisburg.

GermanyTender Procurement Intelligence

This contract is a significant case study in how German municipalities are addressing the challenges of climate change and flood protection through major infrastructure projects. The City of Duisburg has secured a €27.96 million contract for dyke rehabilitation and B288 road elevation, with Eiffage Infra-West selected through a competitive open procedure.

The most notable feature of this tender is the strong competition, with ten bids received ranging from €27.96 million to €38.37 million. The winning bid was the lowest admissible tender, submitted by Eiffage Infra-West. The significant range of bids reflects the different approaches and pricing strategies of the bidders.

The 100% price weighting reflects the nature of construction works where technical specifications are clearly defined in the tender documents. This approach rewards suppliers who can offer the most competitive pricing while meeting all technical requirements.

The project combines flood protection with transport infrastructure, demonstrating a holistic approach to climate adaptation. The elevation of the B288 road on a viaduct structure allows for improved flood protection while maintaining transport connections. The construction of stormwater retention and clarification basins further enhances the area's resilience to extreme weather events.

For suppliers, the lesson is that competitive pricing is essential for large-scale infrastructure projects, but technical capability and proven experience are also critical. Companies that can demonstrate both are best positioned for these contracts.

Supplier Takeaways

• Price is the sole award criterion (100%).
• Strong competition (10 bids) requires competitive pricing.
• Proven experience in large-scale infrastructure projects is essential.
• Climate adaptation and flood protection projects are a growing market.
• Execution planning is required from the contractor.
• The project combines flood protection with transport infrastructure.

Key Takeaways

• City of Duisburg awarded a €27.96 million contract for dyke rehabilitation and B288 road elevation to Eiffage Infra-West GmbH.
• The project covers approximately 1,300 metres of road elevation on a viaduct structure.
• Award criteria: Price (100%).
• Ten bids were received, with the winning bid being the lowest admissible tender.
• Contract duration: 15 June 2026 – 31 December 2029.
• The project enhances flood protection and infrastructure resilience in the Mündelheim district.

Conclusion

This is a significant infrastructure contract that reflects how German municipalities are addressing the challenges of climate change and flood protection. By awarding a €27.96 million contract for dyke rehabilitation and B288 road elevation to Eiffage Infra-West, the City of Duisburg ensures that the Mündelheim district is better protected from flooding while maintaining essential transport connections. The contract demonstrates the importance of competitive pricing, the value of strong competition in public procurement, and the growing need for climate adaptation infrastructure in Germany.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Wirtschaftsbetriebe Duisburg?

It is a public company owned by the City of Duisburg, responsible for managing municipal infrastructure, including flood protection, roads, and public utilities.

Q: What does this project involve?

It involves the rehabilitation and set-back of the dyke in the Mündelheim Rhine bend, the elevation of the B288 federal road on a viaduct structure over approximately 1,300 metres, and the construction of stormwater retention basins.

Q: Why is the B288 road being elevated?

The elevation allows for improved flood protection while maintaining the transport connection and access to the Krefeld-Uerdingen Bridge.

Q: Who is the winning bidder?

Eiffage Infra-West GmbH, a large German construction company and part of the international Eiffage Group.

Q: Is this contract funded by the EU?

No. The notice confirms the project is not financed with EU funds, though it is governed by EU Directive 2014/24/EU.

Source: EU Official Journal, Contract Award Notice 521071-2026, OJ S 143/2026, published 28 July 2026.