Short Span Steel Bridges 
AASHTO Technical Training Solutions for Guardrail Maintenance and Repair
Course Title: Guardrail: Maintenance and Repair
Format: E-learning/Virtual
Sponsor: American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)
Cost: Non-Member = $75.00 Member = $38.00
Description:
Did you know that, according to FHWA, an average of 560,000 Americans get into winter weather-related car crashes each year? This winter has brought a lot of snow and ice to streets across the country—so it’s incredibly important for crews to stay on top of maintenance and repair. That includes things like guardrail, which serves as a safety barrier that shields motorists who have left the roadway.
AASHTO Technical Training Solutions has three courses dedicated to guardrails, including Guardrail: Maintenance and Repair (TC3MN029-16-T1). This course provides information on the correct procedures for the maintenance and repair of guardrails, and is divided into two modules. The first module, Inspection and Maintenance of Existing Guardrails, reviews the importance of guardrail maintenance and how damage is assessed. The second module, Guardrail Repair, reviews guardrail repair procedures and the information contained in the guardrail repair report.
Course Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Explain why proper maintenance and repairs are important
- Define the levels of damage used to describe guardrail conditions
- Describe basic inspection procedures and what you should look for when inspecting a guardrail
- Explain how repairs are made, including the critical actions prior to making the repair
- Determine if an inspection is needed post guardrail repair and what to look for
- List the information included in the repair record.
Additional Resources
The following are resources that may be helpful regarding bridge railing:
Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance: Guardrail Knowledge Base
Federal Highway Administration: Frequently Asked Questions: Barriers, Terminals, Transitions, Attenuators, and Bridge Railings
Task Force 13: TF13 Guide to Bridge Railing Systems
AASHTO: AASHTO T-7 Guardrail and Bridge Rail Committee; & Technical Training Solutions
Ohio Department of Transportation (Sponsor): Evaluation and Design of a TL3 Bridge Guardrail System Mounted to Steel Fascia Beams
Transportation Research Board: Development of a Bridge Railing Optimized for Rural, Low-Volume Roads
Does the SSSBA offer educational opportunities?
Yes! The SSSBA offers educational opportunities to students and professionals:
Professionals: The SSSBA provides complimentary half-day or full-day workshops on short span steel bridge design to states, counties, and design firms. Topics covered include practical and cost-effective steel bridge design and fabrication with eSPAN140, press-brake-formed steel tub girders, steel buried bridge design, galvanized coating solutions, and economical design with case studies, and more. The workshops can take place virtually or in-person, compliments of the steel industry. Learn more.
Students: The University of Wyoming and the Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance created a free 6-part live-lecture educational series to cover the many aspects of designing, fabricating, and constructing steel bridges. All students who successfully complete the education series will receive a Certificate of Completion from the University of Wyoming. Learn more.
Speakers: The SSSBA provides expert speakers to present topics of interest on the cost-effective design and construction of short span steel bridges. If you need a speaker for your next event, contact the SSSBA.
Events
SSSBA to Present at 2026 Purdue Road School in West Lafayette, IN (March 17)
Join the SSSBA at the 2026 Purdue Road School on March 17 (11:00–11:50 AM) to explore free tools for designing short span steel bridges. Hear a contractor’s perspective on simplifying construction, improving efficiency, and reducing costs.
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.
Events
Free 4-Part Quarterly Webinar Series: Steel Bridge Playbook (Next Webinar May 7)
This free, four-part quarterly webinar series delivers expert insights on steel bridge design, preservation, and innovation. Explore essential design resources, corrosion protection through galvanizing, accelerated construction methods, and real-world case studies to gain practical guidance for every steel bridge project. Sponsored by SSSBA and AGA.
Events
New Jersey Short Span Steel Bridge Workshop (Feb. 12 – Trenton, NJ)
Sponsored by the SSSBA, the New Jersey workshop offers practical, up-to-date guidance on cost-effective, durable steel bridge solutions to help local agencies address infrastructure needs and make the most of limited resources.
Events
Steel Bridge Lecture: Steel Solutions for Local Communities (Ft. Collins, CO – Feb. 19)
Join the SSSBA and Structural Engineers Association of Colorado (SEAC) on February 19 in Fort Collins, Colorado, for “Building Bridges: Steel Solutions for Local Communities” presented by Dr. Michael Barker. Learn how short span steel bridges cut costs, speed construction, and earn 1.0 PDH.
Events
NSBA and Purdue Offer Free Steel Bridge Seminar Series (Starts Feb. 4)
Hosted by Purdue University and sponsored by the National Steel Bridge Alliance, this four-part webinar series features leading experts presenting state-of-practice topics across steel bridge fabrication, design, evaluation and inspection.