Sustainability

Steel is North America’s Number #1 Recycled Material

Muskingum County Ohio Steel Bridge Using Recycled Material

Muskingum County Ohio fabricated the Green Valley Road Bridge superstructure with repurposed W33x141 beams salvaged from a previous bridge replacement – saving $51,000.

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.

Sustainability Resources

Galvanized Beams

“Crafting a Coat” – Modern Steel Construction

Zinc Coating Life Predictor (ZCLP), was recently refined and made available by the American Galvanizers Association.

Steel Coils Sustainable

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.

Galvanize It! Sustainable Development & Hot-Dip Galvanizing

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.

Buried Steel Bridge

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.

acrow bridge temporary steel

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.

Galvanize It! Sustainable Development & Hot-Dip Galvanizing

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.

barron county press brake formed tub girder bridge

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.

NCSPA Sustainability steel bridges

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.

Steel Coils Sustainable

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.

US DOT Strategic Plan

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.

Green Valley Bridge Ohio - Steel

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

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.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg Visits Cleveland-Cliffs DR Plant

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.

Steel Coils Sustainable

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.

steel bridge inspection

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.

Whitman County Seltice Bridge

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.

New Brunswick Underpass Buried Steel Bridge

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.

Press Brake Tub Girders

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.

nynashamn bridge sweden stainless steel

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.

Sustainability of Rural Steel and Concrete Bridges

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.

Steel Coil

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.

press brake tub girder

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.

Alana Fossa american galvanizers association

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.

Ciocazeaua buried steel bridge

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 galvanized press brake tub girder

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 buried ridge idaho

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.

Sustainable Steel Bridge

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.

steel making

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.

Sustainability Rating Systems

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.

United for Infrastructure - Building Sustainable Solutions

Building a Sustainable Infrastructure 3-Part Video Series

Free video lectures featuring industry experts who provide insights on the sustainability of steel bridges.

Riviere Cochon Gras Bridge

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).

A709-50CR Bridge

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.

Sustainable Steel Bridge

What is a Sustainable Bridge?

Steel bridges can improve our nation’s infrastructure with sustainable solutions that will last well into the next century.

Life Cycle Cost of Bridges

Engineer Conducts Study to Evaluate Life Cycle Costs

Dr. Michael Barker explains why both steel and concrete should be considered for bridge projects.

Sustainable Steel Bridge

Sustainability of Steel in Infrastructure

Steel’s attributes, including its inherent durability and recyclability, make it vital to modern society.

Steel Orthotropic Decks

Steel Orthotropic Decks

Orthotropic decks are composed of a steel plate that is covered by a shop-installed roadway surface.