The construction industry is a significant consumer of natural resources and a major contributor to CO2 emissions in Germany, accounting for an annual waste volume of 54%. Therefore, preserving existing structures can play a crucial role in environmental protection and resource conservation. To achieve this goal, effective monitoring and maintenance concepts are essential to extend the service life of structures while ensuring their stability and functionality. In 2022, the German Research Foundation launched a priority program called 'SPP 100+' with the objective of fundamentally redefining the current maintenance strategy for infrastructure structures through intelligent digitization. This paper focuses on the program itself and the Nibelungen Bridge in Worms, Germany, which serves as a pilot project and a validation structure in this program. First, the motivation and background for the research of extending structure life via intelligent digitization are introduced. Subsequently, the program and its research areas are elaborated. Next, the state of the Nibelungen Bridge and the relating digital measures are explained in detail. Finally, conclusions and outlooks are given.