Bridge Task Force and AASHTO Steel Leaders Meet in Alaska

Image: Bridge Task Force and AASHTO Steel and Metals Technical Committee members visit the Juneau Creek Bridge on the Sterling Highway near Cooper Landing, Alaska.

The Steel Bridge Task Force (BTF) and AASHTO Steel and Metals Technical Committee met in Anchorage, September 28-30, for technical presentations, project updates and industry recognition.

The meetings brought together representatives from state departments of transportation, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), steel producers, bridge fabricators, engineering firms, universities industry organizations and other bridge professionals to discuss developments affecting steel bridge design, fabrication, research and construction.

The two-day Bridge Task Force program opened with updates on the steel bridge industry, the Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance (SSSBA), the National Steel Bridge Alliance (NSBA) and FHWA. Technical sessions focused on research and emerging issues including fracture design, ultra-high toughness steel, bolted splice requirements, weld repairs, dead-load fit, behavior of curved and skewed I-girder bridges among other presentations.

The meeting also showcased two of Alaska’s most notable steel bridge projects. Leslie Daugherty of the Alaska Department of Transportation presented the construction of the Juneau Creek Bridge, while Devin Altman of Jacobs discussed the Pretty Rocks Bridge project in Denali National Park.

Bridge Task Force members and guests participate in technical presentations during the September meeting in Anchorage, Alaska.

Thomas Murphy Receives 2026 Richard S. Fountain Award

A highlight of the meeting was the presentation of the 2026 Richard S. Fountain Award to Thomas P. Murphy, PhD, PE, SE, Senior Vice President and Chief Technical Officer at Modjeski and Masters.

Murphy was recognized for his outstanding contributions to steel bridge engineering through leadership on complex signature bridge projects, influential research, refined analysis guidance and trusted service to the Bridge Task Force, including his work related to the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications.

Mike Grubb, M.A. Grubb & Associates, LLC, presented the award during the meeting, followed by a reception celebrating Murphy and his contributions to the bridge engineering community.

Mike Grubb, M.A. Grubb & Associates, LLC, right, presents the 2026 Richard S. Fountain Award to Thomas P. Murphy, PhD, PE, SE, of Modjeski and Masters.

Juneau Creek Bridge Tour Highlights Alaska Steel Construction

Following the AASHTO meeting, attendees traveled from Anchorage to the Sterling Highway MP 45–60 project near Cooper Landing for a special tour of the Juneau Creek Bridge hosted by the Alaska DOT.

The Juneau Creek Bridge is one of Alaska’s most significant current transportation projects. The structure includes approximately 6.75 million pounds of structural steel, along with 1.12 million pounds of reinforcing steel and approximately 730,000 pounds of steel shaft casing.

Before heading to the bridge site, Jonathan Tymick of the Alaska DOT briefs meeting attendees on the Juneau Creek Bridge project and surrounding Sterling Highway improvements.

The bridge includes a main span of approximately 440 feet and rises roughly 270 feet above the canyon floor. Its steel superstructure was erected using a launch across the Juneau Creek canyon, providing tour participants with an opportunity to see firsthand the scale, engineering and construction involved in the project.

Meeting attendees get an up-close look at construction of the Juneau Creek Bridge, which includes approximately 6.75 million pounds of structural steel, during a site tour hosted by Alaska DOT.

The tour also gave attendees a broader look at construction along the Sterling Highway corridor. One stop included a large-diameter corrugated steel structural pipe being used as a wildlife underpass, illustrating another application of steel within the project.

Meeting participants stand inside a large-diameter corrugated steel structural pipe being constructed as a wildlife underpass as part of the Sterling Highway project.

The tour provided attendees with an up-close look at the bridge and surrounding construction and an opportunity to learn directly from the Alaska DOT team about the project’s design and construction.

Special Thanks and Sponsor Recognition

AISI and the Bridge Task Force extend special thanks to Leslie Daugherty, Jonathan Tymick, and the entire Alaska DOT team for organizing and hosting the Juneau Creek Bridge tour and for their assistance in making the Anchorage meetings a success.

The Bridge Task Force would also like to thank the following companies and organizations for sponsoring the receptions and dinner at the meetings:

The Bridge Task Force thanks the following companies and organizations for sponsoring the receptions and dinner held in conjunction with the Anchorage meetings.

Diamond Sponsors

• Cleveland-Cliffs
• High Steel Structures
• HDR
• Michael Baker International
• National Steel Bridge Alliance
• SSAB Americas
• Stupp Bridge Company
• W&W | AFCO Steel

Gold Sponsor

• Modjeski and Masters

Silver Sponsors

• Russo Structural Services
• The Sherwin-Williams Company

About The Steel Bridge Task Force

The Steel Bridge Task Force was formed more than 45 years ago to coordinate research that establishes safe, cost-effective steel bridges and to implement these developments into steel specifications, specifically the AASHTO design codes. Its members include the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), National Steel Bridge Alliance (NSBA), AASHTO Steel and Metals Technical Committee, steel producers, steel organizations, steel bridge fabricators, bridge owners, university faculty, consultants and representatives from the Federal Highway Administration.