Short Span Steel Bridges 
AREMA/NSBA Present Constructability and Fabrication Guidelines for Steel Railroad Bridges
The following information was provided by the National Steel Bridge Alliance.
There’s a vital new resource available for anyone who designs steel railroad bridges, thanks to a collaboration between NSBA and the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association – Guidelines for the Design of Steel Railroad Bridges for Constructability and Fabrication.
While there are some similarities between highway and railroad bridges, there are key differences in design and construction that designers need to be aware of.
This guide describes special considerations for railroad bridges in the areas of design, girders, boxes, trusses, floor systems, decks and walkways, bolts, corrosion protection, and construction.
This document is intended to be used in conjunction with the AREMA Manual for Railway Engineering, Chapter 15–Steel Structures, and other referenced documents for further clarification on specific issues.
Does steel provide an economical solution for bridge construction?
- Due to the light weight of steel, cost savings can be significant
- Studies show that weathering, A1010 (A709-50CR), and galvanized steel reduces both initial and life cycle costs.
- Steel can compete and even save costs when compared with nearly identical concrete structures. re.
- Steel bridges also have long lives, decreasing the need for replacement.
- Steel’s high strength permits longer spans, minimizing disruption to underlying habitats.
- Steel is highly resistant to extreme natural disasters such as earthquakes.
- Steel is the world’s most recycled material and is infinitely recyclable.
- Short span steel bridges can be designed with prefabricated elements which provide a simpler installation and cost savings.
News
Missouri Steel Bridge Bundle Project Wins Prize Bridge Award
The National Steel Bridge Alliance (NSBA) named Missouri’s FARM Bridges Design/Build Bundle the 2026 Prize Bridge Award winner in the Short Span category. Fabricated by SSSBA member DeLong’s, the project delivered 31 rural bridges across 15 counties using galvanized steel and SDCL design for a 100-year service life.
Durability & Coatings
HDG Rebar vs. Epoxy-Coated Rebar
A new publication by the American Galvanizers Association compares the performance of hot-dip galvanized (HDG) rebar and epoxy-coated rebar in reinforced structures.
Durability & Coatings
Determining and Overcoming the Size Limitations of Hot-Dip Galvanizing
The American Galvanizers Association explains how kettle size limits can be overcome with strategies like modular design, progressive dipping, and other creative solutions.