SSSBA Holds Semiannual Meeting in New Orleans

Last week, the Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance (SSSBA) held its semiannual meeting in New Orleans, LA.

Over 40 members of the SSSBA attended the 2-day meeting, including county engineers and representatives from the National Association of County Engineers.

Throughout the week, steel bridge stakeholders from around the country came together to focus on key areas related to short span steel bridges including innovation, standardization, education and market development.

Brian Keierleber, Buchanan County, Iowa presenting on Innovative Bridge Deck Solutions during the SSSBA Innovation Council Meeting.

2-Days of Technical, Marketing and Industry Focused Events

The meeting kicked off Monday afternoon with a distinguished lineup of speakers and topics for the Innovation and Technical Standards Council sessions that included:

• Bridge Deck Innovations
  • Brian Keierleber, Buchanan County, Iowa
• Autauga County, Alabama Bridge Program
  • John Mark Davis, Autauga County, Alabama
• Woodbury County, Iowa Bridge Program
  • Mark Nahra, Woodbury County, Iowa
• Bridge Innovation Forum
• Detailed PBFTG Design w/Case Study
  • Guy Nelson, Valmont
• Short Span Railroad Bridge Initiative
  • Tony Peterson, National Steel Bridge Alliance

On Tuesday, the schedule featured SSSBA’s Communications Council, Marketing and Education Council and the SSSBA General Meeting, which included another round of noteworthy presenters and information:

• Artificial Intelligence in the Construction Industry
  • Joshua Quinter, Offit-Kurman Attorneys at Law
• Analyzing Structure Fire Response for a Tunnel-Type Application/TRB Update
  • Joel Hahm, Contech Engineered Solutions
• Construction Market Outlook
  • Jay Bowman, FMI Consulting
• National Corrugated Steel Pipe Association Update
  • Michael McGough, Executive Director, NCSPA
• National Association of County Engineers (NACE) and Legislative/Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Update
  • Kevan Stone, Executive Director, NACE

The feedback received was positive. Attendees appreciated the opportunity to learn from real-world examples provided by industry experts on the advantages steel bridges present to the transportation industry.

Big thank you to the SSSBA members that sponsored Monday’s networking event at the National World War II Museum

Networking Event Sponsors

A big thank you to the following companies who sponsored Monday’s networking event at the SSSBA meetings:

Diamond Sponsors

• Acrow (website)
• Sherwin Williams (website)
• High Steel Structures (website)
• National Steel Bridge Alliance (website)
• V&S Galvanizing (website)
• ArcelorMittal (website)
• Cleveland-Cliffs (website)
• SSAB Americas (website)

Gold Sponsors 

• St. Louis Bolt and Screw (website)
• Contech Engineered Solutions (website)
• Premier Steel (website)
• South Atlantic LLC (website)
• American Galvanizers Association (website)

Silver Sponsor

• Central Steel Service (website)
• Wheeler (website)
• Delong’s Inc (website)

Also, a BIG THANK YOU to our co-sponsors for agreeing to sponsor the ENTIRE HAPPY HOUR on January 23rd at Acme Oyster House

• Valmont Coatings (website)
• Valmont Structures (website)
• Infra-Metals (website)

SSSBA members and guests at the networking event in New Orleans, LA.

Next Meeting will be in September 2024

The next SSSBA Semiannual meeting will be held in September 2024. The meeting location will be made available to our members soon.

If you would like more information on this event or to become a member of the SSSBA, please contact Dan Snyder at dsnyder@steel.org or complete an online membership application.