Short Span Steel Bridges 
Myrissa Welch Named Chair of the Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance
July 10, 2025
The Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance (SSSBA) is pleased to announce that Myrissa Welch, steel applications engineer at SSAB, has been named chair of the SSSBA. She succeeds David Stoddard, also of SSAB, who has served as Chair since 2016.
Welch brings a strong technical background and industry experience to the role. She earned her BS in Materials Science and Engineering from Virginia Tech and completed her MBA in Organizational Leadership at the University of Iowa.
Her expertise as a metallurgist and her practical experience working with steel applications make her well-suited to lead the SSSBA’s efforts to promote cost-effective, resilient and accelerated solutions for short span bridge projects.
“Myrissa brings valuable insight and energy to the role of chair of the SSSBA,” said Dan Snyder, vice president of construction at the American Iron and Steel Institute. “Her background in steel applications and industry leadership will help the SSSBA to support bridge owners and designers as they work to strengthen our nation’s infrastructure with resilient, modern steel bridge solutions.”
As chair, Welch will help guide the SSSBA’s ongoing work to provide design tools, research, and educational outreach to support local and state transportation agencies, engineers, and industry partners in delivering sustainable and durable steel bridge solutions.
News
Bridge Task Force and AASHTO Steel Leaders Meet in Alaska
The Steel Bridge Task Force and AASHTO Steel and Metals Technical Committee met in Anchorage for technical presentations, project updates and industry recognition. The meetings concluded with an Alaska DOT hosted tour of the Juneau Creek Bridge and surrounding Sterling Highway construction.
News
SSSBA to Present at North Central States Consortium in Omaha, NE (Sept. 28-30)
Dr. Michael Barker, University of Wyoming, will represent SSSBA at the North Central States Consortium (NCSC) in Omaha, Nebraska. His presentation (Tuesday, September 29, 1:30–2:15 p.m.) will explore how optimized plate girders can expand the range of steel solutions for bridges with spans of 60 to 100 feet.
News
AISI Corrosion Advisory Group to Meet October 27 in Ohio
The AISI Corrosion Advisory Group (CAG) will meet October 27 at the Sherwin-Williams Research & Development Center in Ohio. Discussions will focus on corrosion research, coatings, steel durability and related industry needs.