Sustainability
Steel is North America’s Number #1 Recycled Material
Increasingly, short span bridge owners and designers are emphasizing the importance of sustainability in their repair and replacement projects. The impact of the bridge on the environment has become an important consideration when choosing a material.
Short span steel bridges are sustainable because:
- Steel from a disassembled bridge can be used again for another project. When Hurricane Ivan damaged the bridge over Florida’s Escambia Bay in Pensacola, contractors used 36-inch steel beams from a disassembled bridge in Tennessee to make substructure repairs. In Muskingum County, Ohio, five bridges have been replaced with repurposed steel, saving costs as well as resources.
- Press-brake-formed steel tub girder bridges can last 100 years or more, with minimal maintenance over their long service lives.
- The high strength of steel permits longer spans, which minimizes disruption to underlying habitats.
- Steel is highly resistant to extreme natural disasters such as earthquakes.
- The American steel industry has achieved a 31 percent reduction in energy intensity and a 36 percent reduction in greenhouse gas intensity since 1990.
“Crafting a Coat” – Modern Steel Construction
Zinc Coating Life Predictor (ZCLP), was recently refined and made available by the American Galvanizers Association.
American Manufacturers Are Among the Cleanest in the World. Let’s prove it.
The American steel industry has made significant investments in cleaner and more sustainable production processes. But unless companies overseas do the same, American manufacturing’s commitment to sustainability will put us at a disadvantage.
January 30: Free Webinar – Sustainable Development & Hot-Dip Galvanizing
The American Galvanizers Association invites you to attend a 1-hour webinar sustainable development and hot-dip galvanizing.
New Resiliency Video Compares Corrugated Steel Pipe to Other Materials
The National Corrugated Steel Pipe Association (NCSPA) launched a new video focused on the resiliency of corrugated steel pipe – commonly used in buried steel bridges.
FHWA Seeks Bridge Grant Applications
The Federal Highway Administration issued a notice of funding opportunity for Bridge Project and Planning grants.
October 31: Webinar – Demonstrated Performance of Buried Bridges
The American Galvanizers Association invites you to attend a 1-hour webinar sustainable development and hot-dip galvanizing.
Infrastructure Investment Spending Update
Although the number of deficient bridges is declining, we must continue to invest in sustainable solutions to meet future demands on our infrastructure.
October 26: Free Webinar – Sustainable Development & Hot-Dip Galvanizing
The American Galvanizers Association invites you to attend a 1-hour webinar sustainable development and hot-dip galvanizing.
Investing in Bridge Infrastructure: We Are Only Getting Started
Although the number of deficient bridges is declining, we must continue to invest in sustainable solutions to meet future demands on our infrastructure.
New Sustainability Video Compares Corrugated Steel Pipe to Other Materials
The National Corrugated Steel Pipe Association (NCSPA) launched a new video focused on the sustainability of corrugated steel pipe – commonly used in buried steel bridges.
Leadership of the American Steel Industry in the Green Economy
The American steel industry is continuing to make key investments and innovations to further decrease carbon emissions and advance it’s leadership position on sustainability.
Strong Growth in U.S. Infrastructure Activity Anticipated Over Next Five Years
The real pickup in U.S. infrastructure construction is anticipated to begin next year and peak over the next several years.
U.S. DOT Strategic Plan Includes $5 Billion in Research Funding
The U.S. DOT released a strategic plan that will guide more than $5 billion in research activities funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Six Reasons Steel Provides a Sustainable Bridge Solution
With advances in steelmaking technology, innovative design, and corrosion protection systems, steel bridges can improve our nation’s infrastructure with sustainable solutions.
Building a Sustainable Infrastructure with Steel Bridges
Presentations from a five-part webinar series covering topics essential to the design and installation of steel bridges are now available on-demand.
Steel Industry Comments on White House Buy Clean Announcement
The steel industry provided comment on the announcement by the White House that the federal government will prioritize the purchase of low-carbon construction materials for federal construction projects.
Thought Leaders Discuss the Value of Sustainable Steel Solutions
Industry thought leaders discuss key trends and innovations in steel construction that are advancing sustainable solutions in America.
Applications Open for New Competitive Bridge Investment Program
The $12.5 billion Bridge Investment Program will to help plan, replace, rehabilitate, protect, and preserve some of the nation’s bridges.
New Research Report Compares Sustainability of Rural Steel and Concrete Bridges
The results of the study by the University of Wyoming show that steel outperforms concrete in four major categories.
Buried Steel Bridges: CSPI 2-Part Video Series
The Corrugated Steel Pipe Institute and the Ontario Good Roads Association present a two-part video series on the use of buried steel bridges.
Building a Sustainable Infrastructure with Short Span Steel Bridges: 2-Part Video Series
In this 2-part video series, industry experts provide insight on how to create a more sustainable infrastructure using steel solutions.
Stainless Steel Use in Bridges
Stainless steel can be found in modern bridges throughout the world due to the strength, corrosion resistance, and aesthetic appeal it provides.
Research Report: Sustainability of Rural Steel and Concrete Bridges
The University of Wyoming conducted a study to evaluate the life cycle sustainability of two functionally equivalent steel and concrete rural bridges.
Facts About American Steel Sustainability
Learn facts about why the American steel industry is the cleanest and most energy efficient of the leading steel industries in the world.
The American Steel Industry: Meeting the Global Demand for a Sustainable Infrastructure and Educated Workforce
With jobs in renewables estimated to reach 42 million globally by 2050., the American steel industry is prepared to meet the challenge of educating a new sustainable workforce.
Hot-Dip Galvanizing Provides Maintenance Free Longevity
Alana Fossa, American Galvanizers Association, provides information on why bridge owners should consider the use of hot-dip galvanized steel for bridge projects.
Buried Steel Bridge Selected Over Concrete to Reduce Environmental Impact
A buried steel bridge was constructed as an alternative to a concrete structure to reduce disruptions to the surrounding environment and allow quick installation.
Hot-Dip Galvanizing Environmental Advantages
Hot-dip galvanized steel has a number of environmental advantages that minimize the impact to the environment over the life of the project.
Steel Plate Arch Buried Bridge Provides Natural Pathway for Fish to Spawn
The Falcon Ridge 11.5′ fish passage structure provide easy fish passage for the local spawning trout and steel head.
The Rehabilitation and Repair of Steel Bridges
Two of the main reasons steel lasts so long is its ease of inspection and repair, enabling steel bridges to have much longer and sustainable service lives than other materials.
Sustainability of the American Steel Industry
Learn why the American steel industry is the cleanest and most energy-efficient of the seven largest steel producing countries in the world.
Overview of Sustainable Infrastructure Rating Systems
Steel bridges can meet, and in some cases exceed, the material and construction requirements associated with the sustainability rating systems.
Building a Sustainable Infrastructure 3-Part Video Series
Free video lectures featuring industry experts who provide insights on the sustainability of steel bridges.
Temporary Steel Bridge Reused to Help Remote Haitian Community
The Fore River Temporary Bridge (Massachusetts) repurposed to becomes the New Riviere Cochon Gras Bridge (Haiti).
Investing in a Resilient Infrastructure With Steel
The U.S. steel industry is well positioned to build bridges that will last well into the next century – and possibly beyond.
What is a Sustainable Bridge?
Steel bridges can improve our nation’s infrastructure with sustainable solutions that will last well into the next century.
Engineer Conducts Study to Evaluate Life Cycle Costs
Dr. Michael Barker explains why both steel and concrete should be considered for bridge projects.
Sustainability of Steel in Infrastructure
Steel’s attributes, including its inherent durability and recyclability, make it vital to modern society.
Ohio County Finds Creative, Sustainable Steel Solutions for Bridge Replacement
Muskingum County saved $51,000 by using repurposed beams.
Steel Orthotropic Decks
Orthotropic decks are composed of a steel plate that is covered by a shop-installed roadway surface.