Short Span Steel Bridges 
Free Customized Workshops for Counties, DOTs, and Design Firms
Short span bridges provide vital links in the nation’s infrastructure network. Yet, nearly a quarter of these bridges are classified as structurally deficient or functionally obsolete.
According to ASCE, more than 30% of existing bridges have exceeded their 50-year design life. This situation presents a significant challenge for cash-strapped state and local governments.
The SSSBA has developed technological and design innovations for bridges under 140 feet that save significant time and costs for county and state bridge officials.
Over the past decade, over 23,000 bridge owners and designers have learned about the cost and time advantages of short span steel bridges in SSSBA workshops and conferences throughout North America.
And now, the SSSBA is offering complimentary customized educational guest speakers/webinars and workshops (on-site or virtual) specifically for county engineers, state DOTs, and design firms. The webinars/workshops are taught by industry experts with decades of experience in the cost-effective design and construction of short span bridges.
The workshops can be set up as:
- 1-2 hour webinar on a specific topic (can be used as a “guest speaker” for your event).
- 3-4 hour (half-day) workshop to provide practical information on the safe and cost-effective design, detail, fabrication and installation of short span steel bridges.
- 6 hour (full-day) session to provide an in-depth overview of short span steel bridges.
Suggested topics to select from include:
- Practical and Cost-Effective Steel Bridge Design
- Free Design Tools (eSPAN140 and SIMON)
- Pre-engineered Bridge Solutions
- Coating Solutions (galvanized, painted, and weathering steel)
- Innovative/Accelerated Bridge Construction Options
- Case Studies (from local counties)
- Buried Soil Steel Bridge Structure Alternatives
- Life-Cycle Analysis
For more information or to customize a workshop for your organization, please contact:
- Dan Snyder (Director of the SSSBA) at dsnyder@steel.org or 301-367-6179.
- Michael Barker (University of Wyoming & SSSBA Director of Education) at barker@uwyo.edu
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
Infrastructure Week 2026: How Steel Bridges Maximize Transportation Investment (May 20)
Join the Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance, American Iron and Steel Institute and the American Galvanizers Association during Infrastructure Week 2026 for a free webinar exploring how resilient design strategies can help maximize the long-term impact of federal infrastructure investment. 1.0 LU/PDH (HSW Hour) provided.
Events
Free Live Lecture: Steel Bridges – Smarter by the Numbers (May 14 – Portland, OR)
Attend a free Lunch & Learn exploring how data-driven comparisons between steel and concrete can support smarter bridge design, cost and lifecycle decisions. Hosted by SSSBA member Fought & Company and led by Dr. Michael G. Barker, the session will highlight how broader evaluation criteria can improve project outcomes.
Events
Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance Semi-Annual Meeting (Oct. 12-14, 2026 – Omaha, NE)
SSSBA members are invited to attend the next Semi-Annual meeting in Omaha, Nebraska to discuss the latest research, technical advancements and educational initiatives in steel bridge design and construction. This meeting will be co-located with the National Association of County Engineers (NACE) Executive Committee and Board meetings.
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. This course is accredited by AIA and RCEP to provide 1.0 LU/PDH (HSW Hours).
News
SSSBA to Present and Exhibit at NASCC in Atlanta (April 22-24)
The SSSBA will present and exhibit at NASCC: The Steel Conference, April 22-24 in Atlanta, Georgia. Stop by booth #950 to learn about the benefits of steel bridges and pickup a free gift!
Events
Free Webinar: Designing Stream Crossings to Improve Fish Passage and Flood Resiliency (April 23)
Join SSSBA member Contech Engineered Solutions for a webinar on Aquatic Organism Passage (AOP) and stream simulation design. Learn how properly sized bridges and culverts improve fish passage, strengthen flood resilience, and support long-term infrastructure performance.