Short Span Steel Bridges 
Transportation Construction Outlook Changes as Legislation Looms
Excerpt from Engineering News-Record: Transportation Construction Outlook Changes as Legislation Looms
ARTBA Report Highlights the Benefits and Value of Federal Highway Program
According to recent research from the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA), state governments moved forward with nearly 111,000 new federal-aid highway and bridge projects during the past five years under the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act.
ARTBA’s compilation of Federal Highway Administration data was released to coincide with the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works hearing on Feb. 24, concerning the reauthorization of the surface transportation program, which is due by Sept. 30.
“Our research illustrates tangible success stories of the federal highway program,” says ARTBA President and CEO Dave Bauer. “Such real-world project outcomes would be even more robust under the highway and transit investment bills advanced by the House and Senate in the last Congress.”
The Fourteen Mile Bridge (Lincoln County, West Virginia) was constructed using steel press brake tub girders. It was funded using a combination of state and federal dollars under the FAST Act.
Education Available on Short-Span Structures
The Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance (SSSBA) is offering webinars and workshops for students, university faculty, county engineers, state DOT professionals and design firm teams. These virtual and onsite programs range from brief webinars on specific topics to in-person workshops covering design, fabrication, installation and safety issues.
Over the past decade, the SSSBA has educated nearly 15,000 bridge professionals and students.
The webinars/workshops are taught by industry experts with decades of experience in the cost-effective design and construction of short-span bridges. According to SSSBA Director Dan Snyder, topics range from coating solutions, accelerated bridge construction options and design tools to buried soil steel bridge alternatives and life-cycle analysis.
“Steel structures can save Signiant time and costs on projects since they can be installed quickly, allowing roads to reopen to traffic in shorter time frames ” he says. “Many also have life expectancies of more than 100 years, saving future maintenance and replacement costs. As a sustainable material, steel provides life-cycle advantages over other materials and can be repurposed for other projects if needed.”
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.
Press Brake & Folded Plate
Growing Momentum for Press-Brake Tub Girders in Short Span Bridge Construction
Growing fabrication capabilities and successful bridge installations are creating new opportunities for press-brake tub girders in short span bridge construction. Recent developments involving Nelson Bridge Systems and Delta Steel demonstrate how industry collaboration is helping expand the availability and use of this innovative technology.
Durability & Coatings
Steel Bridge Durability: Weathering Steel and Corrosion Protection Resources
The SSSBA, with assistance from the National Steel Bridge Alliance (NSBA), has compiled technical resources on weathering steel performance and corrosion protection systems for steel bridges. These resources provide research findings, design guidance, and best practices to help bridge owners and engineers make informed decisions that support long-term bridge durability.
News
Steel Bridge Task Force Honors Thomas Murphy with 2026 Richard S. Fountain Award
The Steel Bridge Task Force honored Thomas P. Murphy of Modjeski and Masters with the 2026 Richard S. Fountain Award during its September 28 meeting in Anchorage, Alaska. The award recognizes Murphy’s outstanding leadership and contributions to advancing steel bridge design, research and AASHTO specifications.