Short Span Steel Bridges 
Steel Bridge Restores Fish Migration in Olympic National Forest
A new 70-foot weathering steel bridge on U.S. Highway 101 in the Olympic National Forest replaced an outdated culvert, restoring fish passage and bolstering forest resilience. The $457,000 project showcases the vital role of steel in creating sustainable infrastructure that harmonizes with the natural environment.
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Restoring Fish Migration and Ecosystem Health
According to the Peninsula Daily News, a 7-foot drop caused by the old culvert blocked Chinook salmon, coho salmon, and steelhead trout from accessing upstream habitats. The newly constructed steel bridge eliminates this barrier, ensuring that fish can once again navigate the stream. When water levels rise, the channel will support up to 3 feet of flow, revitalizing the aquatic ecosystem and promoting biodiversity in the region.
This transformative project is a partnership between the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the U.S. Forest Service, made possible through the Good Neighbor Authority program. By leveraging funding from Washington’s Wildfire Response and Community Resilience Account and the state capital budget, the project combines expertise and resources to achieve shared goals. This collaboration underscores the importance of partnerships in tackling large-scale environmental challenges.
Steel as a Solution
The project is a testament to steel’s durability and environmental adaptability. Its design ensures resilience to fluctuating water levels, reduces maintenance demands, and minimizes environmental impact during construction. This project underscores how steel bridges can play a pivotal role in sustainable infrastructure, meeting modern engineering challenges while supporting environmental stewardship.
Case Study
Bridges of Franklin County: Why Missouri is Turning to Steel
Franklin County, Missouri, saved $283,000 by selecting steel over concrete for four short-span bridge projects, demonstrating that simplified designs combined with a competitive bidding process can deliver exceptional value, durability and long-term performance.
Accelerated
“New and Improved” – Modern Steel Construction
In an article from Modern Steel Construction, the emergency replacement of a damaged northwest Pennsylvania bridge resulted in a safer, more efficient steel bridge, with SSSBA member High Steel Structures as the fabricator and detailer for the project.
Case Study
Steel in Action: On-Demand Steel Bridge Video Series
Watch this four-part, on-demand video series featuring expert-led case studies on cost-effective, resilient short span bridge projects—now available with downloadable presentation materials.