Short Span Steel Bridges 
Highway and Bridge Construction Reaches Record $108 Billion
The following information was provided by the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA).
The U.S. transportation construction market continues to show strong growth, with the total value of activity reaching $21.6 billion in September 2024. This marks a 2.5 percent increase compared to $21 billion in September 2023, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Year-to-date highway and bridge construction activity has surged 9.2 percent, climbing to a record $108 billion.
This growth highlights the increasing momentum driven by projects funded under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which continues to bolster investment in the nation’s infrastructure.
The Value of Construction Put in Place, a measure of work completed on projects each month, demonstrates the impact of the IIJA as projects move from planning and bidding stages to active construction. With contractors mobilized and working on projects of all sizes, the overall market activity has seen steady increases month over month.
This sustained investment reflects the critical role of infrastructure funding in supporting the modernization and expansion of U.S. transportation networks.
As the IIJA continues to provide resources for long-overdue improvements, the construction market is poised for continued growth, reinforcing the importance of maintaining momentum in these transformative efforts.
Learn How You Can Save With Steel
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.
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
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.