Short Span Steel Bridges 
Steel Bridges for Smarter, Faster Construction – On-Demand Steel Bridge Video Series
The Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance and Minnesota Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) co-sponsored a three-part webinar series to highlight practical, cost-effective solutions for local bridge projects using short-span steel bridges. The series is designed for county, municipal, and state engineers, consultants, contractors and designers.
The recorded presentations (November 2025 – January 2026) are now available to view on-demand.
* Please note: Professional development hours are not included for viewing the recorded session on this website page. If you registered for the webinar series, and have not received your PDH certificate, contact Natalie Niskanen at niskanen@umn.edu
Steel Bridges for Smarter, Faster Construction: 3-Part On-Demand Series
Webinar #1: Design Considerations for Integral Abutments in Single-Span Steel Bridges
Speaker: Michael P. Culmo, PE, Chief Engineer, CHA Consulting
Presentation: Download Slides (PDF)
On-Demand Video: Watch the recorded webinar below (note: learning credits are not available for watching the video):
Description: This webinar will review how integral abutments can improve the performance and service life of single-span steel bridges. This approach eliminates the need for expansion joints and bearings, simplifying construction while lowering long-term maintenance demands. Well-suited for county and rural applications, integral abutments help reduce initial costs, enhance durability, and provide a more resilient solution to common bridge design challenges.
Michael Culmo, CHA Consulting
Webinar #2: Building Better Bridges in 2025 – Simple for Dead, Continuous for Live Designs for Optimal Performance
Speaker: Bryan Hartnagel, PE, State Bridge Engineer, Missouri Department of Transportation
Presentation: Download Slides (PDF)
On-Demand Video: Watch the recorded webinar below (note: learning credits are not available for watching the video):
Description: Tune in to this webinar to learn about the “Simple for Dead, Continuous for Live” (SDCL) bridge design method, which combines simple spans for dead loads with continuous spans for live loads, delivering exceptional efficiency and durability. Tailored for rural applications, SDCL bridges simplify construction, reduce material costs, and minimize foundation requirements. With lighter steel beams and galvanized components, these bridges offer long-lasting, low-maintenance performance. Discover how this adaptable approach aligns with programs like the Missouri DOT’s Fixing Access to Rural Missouri (FARM) bridge program, providing practical and cost-effective solutions for the state’s critical rural bridge needs.
Bryan Hartnagel, Missouri Department of Transportation
Webinar #3: Building Smarter: Economical Design and Accelerated Prefabrication Options for Short-Span Steel Bridges
Speaker: Michael Barker, PE, SSSBA Bridge Education Center Director and Professor of Civil and Architectural Engineering, University of Wyoming
Presentation: Download Slides (PDF)
On-Demand Video: Watch the recorded webinar below (note: learning credits are not available for watching the video):
Description: This webinar will demonstrate how standardized designs and tools like the SSSBA’s eSPAN140 and eBEAM140 can help local agencies streamline design, reduce fabrication costs, and accelerate construction. Attendees will learn about accelerated bridge construction (ABC) approaches for faster bridge delivery—using prefabricated components such as truss bridges, modular rolled-beam structures, press-brake tub girders, and buried steel bridges to ensure that projects are completed quickly without compromising quality or safety.
Dr. Michael Barker, University of Wyoming
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
Free Steel Bridge Plate Girder Design Course: 6-Part Live Webinar Series (Starts Feb. 24)
Take your bridge design skills to the next level in this free six-part webinar series led by Dr. Michael Barker, University of Wyoming. Learn step-by-step how to design a composite plate girder bridge and earn a certificate of completion in this course from the SSSBA.
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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.
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SSSBA to Present on Accelerated Steel Bridge Design at Mid Atlantic Quality Assurance Workshop (Feb. 9-11)
The SSSBA will participate in the 2026 Mid-Atlantic Quality Assurance Workshop in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Don’t miss Dr. Michael Barker’s presentation on Feb. 10, 3:00–3:40 p.m. ET, highlighting practical approaches for cost-efficient, accelerated short span steel bridges.
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New Jersey Short Span Steel Bridge Workshop (Feb. 12 – Trenton, NJ)
Sponsored by the SSSBA, the New Jersey workshop offers practical, up-to-date guidance on cost-effective, durable steel bridge solutions to help local agencies address infrastructure needs and make the most of limited resources.
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Steel Bridge Lecture: Steel Solutions for Local Communities (Ft. Collins, CO – Feb. 19)
Join the SSSBA and Structural Engineers Association of Colorado (SEAC) on February 19 in Fort Collins, Colorado, for “Building Bridges: Steel Solutions for Local Communities” presented by Dr. Michael Barker. Learn how short span steel bridges cut costs, speed construction, and earn 1.0 PDH.
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NSBA and Purdue Offer Free Steel Bridge Seminar Series (Starts Feb. 4)
Hosted by Purdue University and sponsored by the National Steel Bridge Alliance, this four-part webinar series features leading experts presenting state-of-practice topics across steel bridge fabrication, design, evaluation and inspection.