Bentley Systems Unveils 2026 YII Awards and Infrastructure Event
Bentley Systems has officially opened submissions for its highly anticipated 2026 Year in Infrastructure event and Awards program, a globally recognized initiative that celebrates digital innovation in infrastructure delivery. The program highlights how cutting-edge technologies, particularly Bentley’s software solutions, are transforming the way infrastructure assets are designed, constructed, and managed throughout their lifecycle. Entries for the 2026 awards are being accepted until May 3 at 11:59 p.m. EDT, offering organizations worldwide the opportunity to showcase their most impactful and forward-thinking projects.
The Year in Infrastructure Awards have evolved significantly since their inception. According to Monica Schnitger, founder, president, and principal analyst at Schnitger Corporation, the program initially focused on recognizing designers who leveraged 3D modeling technologies to improve project efficiency. Over time, however, the scope has expanded dramatically. Today, the awards evaluate how major infrastructure initiatives harness extensive digital data ecosystems to deliver value across every stage of a project—from early financial planning and feasibility studies to design, construction, and long-term operations. This shift reflects the growing importance of data-driven decision-making and digital transformation across the infrastructure sector.
Over the past two decades, the YII Awards have attracted participation from more than 5,500 of the world’s most prominent infrastructure projects. These entries represent a wide spectrum of industries and geographies, demonstrating the universal relevance of digital innovation. Among the notable past winners are several landmark developments that have set new benchmarks for engineering excellence and technological advancement.
These include the digital twin created for structural monitoring of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, a project that showcases the power of digital modeling in preserving historic structures. Other examples include the Seine-Nord Europe Canal in France, the Thames Tideway Tunnel in the United Kingdom, and Siemensstadt Square in Germany. Each of these projects illustrates how digital tools can enhance efficiency, sustainability, and long-term asset performance.
The awards have also recognized major infrastructure developments across other continents, including Sydney Airport in Australia, the Fairmont Udaipur Palace in India, and the Beijing-Zhangjiakou High-Speed Railway in China. Additional standout projects include the Ontario Line in Canada and EchoWater Project in the United States. Collectively, these initiatives demonstrate how digital innovation can deliver measurable benefits not only in terms of economic performance but also environmental sustainability and societal impact.
Cate Lochead, chief marketing officer at Bentley Systems, emphasized the global reliance on advanced software solutions to address modern infrastructure challenges. She noted that professionals around the world depend on Bentley’s technologies to create infrastructure that is more resilient, efficient, and sustainable. The YII Awards, she explained, serve as a platform to highlight real-world success stories from teams that are pushing the boundaries of innovation in areas such as ground-informed design, connected data ecosystems, and artificial intelligence. By showcasing these achievements, the program helps establish best practices and inspires the broader industry to adopt more advanced and effective approaches.
Submissions to the YII Awards are rigorously evaluated by independent panels of industry experts. Projects are assessed based on their level of digital advancement as well as their ability to deliver tangible, quantifiable results. Key evaluation criteria include improvements in operational efficiency, cost performance, system resilience, and environmental sustainability. This comprehensive assessment ensures that winning projects not only demonstrate technical excellence but also provide meaningful value to stakeholders and communities.
The 2026 edition of the YII Awards will recognize achievements across a wide range of infrastructure disciplines, reflecting the diversity and complexity of the modern built environment. Award categories include Bridges and Tunnels; Cities and Facilities; Construction; Energy Production; Geospatial and Reality Modeling; Project Delivery; Rail and Transit; Roads and Highways; Structural Engineering; Subsurface Modeling and Analysis; Transmission and Distribution; and Water and Wastewater. These categories encompass virtually every aspect of infrastructure development, from initial planning and design to construction and ongoing operations.
Finalists selected for the awards gain significant industry recognition and contribute to the advancement of best practices through the sharing of their project insights. As part of the program, they present detailed project stories, digital workflows, and innovative methodologies. These presentations often take the form of digital playbooks and case studies, providing valuable learning resources for professionals across the infrastructure ecosystem.
Beyond recognition, the Year in Infrastructure event itself serves as a global forum for knowledge exchange and collaboration. Industry leaders, engineers, architects, and technology experts come together to discuss emerging trends, share experiences, and explore new opportunities for innovation. The event underscores the critical role of digital transformation in addressing some of the world’s most pressing infrastructure challenges, including urbanization, climate change, and resource management.
As Bentley Systems continues to expand the scope and impact of the YII Awards, the program remains a cornerstone for celebrating excellence and driving progress in infrastructure engineering. By highlighting projects that successfully integrate advanced digital tools and methodologies, the awards not only honor individual achievements but also help shape the future of the industry.
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