Short Span Steel Bridges 
Missouri Steel Bridge Bundle Project Wins Prize Bridge Award
Image above courtesy of DeLong’s, Inc., showing the construction of a Simple for Dead Load, Continuous for Live Load (SDCL) bridge, part of the award-winning FARM Bridge project.
The American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) and the National Steel Bridge Alliance (NSBA) are recognizing eight bridges with 2026 Prize Bridge Awards–the structural steel industry’s highest design honor for bridges.
“People across the country rely on steel bridges to connect them to the communities where they live, work, and play–and it takes a specialized group of experts to create those bridges,” said AISC Vice President – Bridges Brandon Chavel, PE, PhD. “This year’s Prize Bridge Award winners are all fantastic examples of how teamwork between owners, designers, fabricators, and constructors can result in innovative and beautiful steel bridges, while also reliably serving their communities for many years to come.”
Missouri’s FARM Bridge Project Wins Short Span Category
The Prize Bridge Awards also highlight excellence in short span bridges, defined as structures with no single span greater than 140 feet.
AISC/NSBA named Missouri’s FARM Bridges Design/Build Bundle the 2026 Prize Bridge Award winner in the Short Span category – fabricated by SSSBA member DeLong’s, Inc.
The FARM (Fixing Access to Rural Missouri) Bridge Program successfully delivered 31 short-span rural bridges across 15 counties in under two years.
The 2026 NSBA Prize Bridge Short Span Award winner, Missouri’s FARM Bridges Design/Build Bundle—fabricated by SSSBA member DeLong’s, Inc.—delivered 31 rural bridges across 15 counties in under two years.
“The program’s hallmark was its innovative use of galvanized structural steel for a 100 year service life combined with the Simple for Dead Load, Continuous for Live Load (SDCL) design methodology, said Deanna Nevling, HDR senior bridge engineer. “This simplified fabrication and erection by eliminating field splices, cambering, and temporary supports, resulting in shallower superstructures, shorter beam lengths, and faster construction. The project provided the rural community with safer, wider lanes, improved rural connectivity, and compliance with environmental protections.”
“This award reflects the strength of collaboration across the entire project team,” said Dan Snyder, vice president of construction at the American Iron and Steel Institute and director of the SSSBA. “Congratulations to everyone involved, and especially to SSSBA member DeLong’s for helping deliver a resilient and efficient steel solution that will serve Missouri communities for over 100 years!”
Project Team
- Owner: Missouri Department of Transportation (Jefferson City, MO)
- General Contractor/Erector: Capital Construction (Jefferson City, MO)
- Structural Engineer: Wilson & Company (Kansas City, MO)
- Steel Fabricator/Detailer: DeLong’s, Inc. (Jefferson City, MO)
Structure Information
- Structure Type: Steel Rolled Beams
- Coating System: Galvanized
- Span Length: 37 ft
- Structure Length: 106 ft
- Average Deck Width: 24 ft
- Steel Weight/Deck Area: 15.5 lb/ft²
- Total Steel: 527 tons
Learn more about this project.
The Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance recently interviewed some members of the Project Team to discuss the project:
2026 Prize Bridge Award Winners (Full List)
The 2026 NSBA Prize Bridge Award winners are:
- Hawk Falls Bridge Replacement Project (Kidder Township, PA)
- Winner, Major Span
- I-64 Kanawha River Bridge (Nitro, WV)
- Winner, Major Span
- Panther Creek Bridge (Klamath, CA)
- Winner, Medium Span
- Broadway Viaduct Bridge Replacement (Nashville, TN)
- Merit Award, Medium Span
- FARM Bridges Design/Build Bundle (Missouri)
- Winner, Short Span
- Unionport Bridge (Bronx, NY)
- Winner, Movable Span
- Sherman Minton Corridor Project (New Albany, IN & Louisville, KY)
- Winner, Rehabilitation
- Williams Crossing (Tulsa, OK)
- Winner, Special Purpose
- New York State Department of Transportation
- Owner of the Year
Learn more about these award winning steel bridges projects.
About the Prize Bridge Awards
The Prize Bridge Awards recognize bridges on a biennial basis, with winners in the spotlight at the World Steel Bridge Symposium, which is part of NASCC: The Steel Conference.
All projects eligible for a Prize Bridge Award are also eligible for the Bridge of the Year Award. The panel of expert judges selects three finalists, and those teams take the stage at the World Steel Bridge Symposium to showcase what makes their bridges truly exceptional. The audience votes right then and there to choose a winner.
In addition to recognizing bridges, NSBA is also awarding a Prize Bridge Award category specifically for American bridge owners whose innovative steel project(s) drive the industry forward.
Questions About Short Span Steel Bridges?
The Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance (SSSBA) provides tools, expertise and educational resources to convert plans into projects.
For more information, please explore the SSSBA website or contact Dan Snyder at dsnyder@steel.org
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