Short Span Steel Bridges 
White House Announces Action Plan to Accelerate Infrastructure
The following excepts were provided by the White House: Biden-Harris Action Plan for Accelerating Infrastructure Projects
On October 13, 2022, at the White House Accelerating Infrastructure Summit, the Administration and outside organizations announced an Action Plan for Accelerating Infrastructure Projects to focus attention on, and fast-track, innovation in the delivery of infrastructure investments in America.
The actions outlined in the plan support the more efficient delivery of infrastructure in America, on time, on task, and on budget.
A buried steel bridge in Springfield, Missouri saved 3 months of construction time and $500,00 versus precast/conventional options.
Action Plan Highlights
Key actions include:
- Launching the Department of Transportation (DOT) Project Delivery Center of Excellence to support and educate transportation infrastructure project managers from state, Tribal, local, and territorial governments in successful project planning and implementation.
- Expanding the Federal Highway Administration’s Every Day Counts Program, a federal-state collaborative partnership which identifies and deploys new ways to accelerate the delivery of highway infrastructure, including innovations applicable to transit and rail projects.
- Launching a new “Dig Once” initiative for broadband, transportation and electrification projects to coordinate efforts, lower project costs and minimize disruptions
A 104 foot multi-span press-brake steel tub girder bridge in Traverse City, Michigan was installed in a single morning.
In addition, FHWA will expand its Technical Assistance Programs by 40% and re-launch its Tribal Technical Assistance Program with eight new regional centers. These networks will provide training and technical assistance so that they can access and use Federal funds for projects on locally-owned roads and bridges.
Read the original White House fact sheet
Download the Biden-Harris Action Plan for Accelerating Infrastructure Projects
Prefabricated Steel Bridges Provide a Safe and Cost Effective Solution for ABC
Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) is bridge construction that uses design and construction methods to reduce the onsite construction time and mobility impacts that occur when building new bridges or replacing and rehabilitating existing bridges. Steel bridge have many accelerated construction benefits:
- Steel bridges can be fabricated off-site in a controlled equipment and ready to erect as soon as it reaches the bridge site.
- Steel is often lighter than other materials for the same span, resulting in smaller or fewer erection cranes.
- Prefabricated steel bridges accelerate construction and reduce on-site labor requirements, reduce traffic disruption, and overall project costs. They are also safe – reducing the exposure of workers and public to construction activities as well as environmental impacts.
Learn more about the benefits of prefabricated steel solutions.
Does steel provide a sustainable option for bridges?
Steel is the most recycled material on the planet. Some of the sustainable advantages of steel include:
- Steel from a disassembled bridge can be used again for another project.
- Steel bridges can last 100 years or more, with minimal maintenance over their long service lives.
- The high strength of steel permits longer spans, which minimizes disruption to underlying habitats.
- Steel is highly resistant to extreme natural disasters such as earthquakes.
- The American steel industry has achieved a 31 percent reduction in energy intensity and a 36 percent reduction in greenhouse gas intensity since 1990.
News
SSSBA Gathers Industry Leaders to Advance Steel Bridge Solutions in Washington, DC
The SSSBA March Semi-Annual meeting in Washington, DC unites industry experts to exchange ideas and advance steel solutions for short span bridges.
News
Dr. Robert Connor Featured on Road Less Traveled Podcast
In a recent episode of the Road Less Traveled podcast, Dr. Robert Connor of Purdue reflects on his path to becoming a national leader in steel bridge fatigue and fracture, and shares his vision for advancing bridge engineering and inspection across the United States.
Events
Free Steel Bridge Plate Girder Design Course: 6-Part Live Webinar Series (Starts Feb. 24)
Take your bridge design skills to the next level in this free six-part webinar series led by Dr. Michael Barker, University of Wyoming. Learn step-by-step how to design a composite plate girder bridge and earn a certificate of completion in this course from the SSSBA.