Short Span Steel Bridges 
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.
Title: Building Bridges: Steel Solutions for Local Communities
Date: February 19, 2026
Time: 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM
PDH: 1.0 Professional Development Hour
Host/Sponsor: Hosted by Structural Engineers Association of Colorado (SEAC), Presented by the Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance
Location:
Front Range Community College
Student Success Center – Mount Antero Building
4616 Shields Street, Room #207
Fort Collins, CO 80526
Registration (deadline February 13):
- SEAC Members: $0
- Non-Members: $20
Description:
This session explores practical, cost-effective solutions for local bridge projects using short span steel bridges. Attendees will learn how standardized designs and tools—such as the Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance’s free eSPAN140 and eBEAM140 software—streamline design, reduce fabrication costs, and accelerate construction schedules.
The presentation also covers initial and life-cycle cost comparisons, real-world examples of prefabricated and locally built steel bridges, and the resilience of steel bridge systems that makes them well-suited for today’s infrastructure needs.
Learning Objectives:
Participants will gain insight into:
- Standardized short span steel bridge designs
- Tools that simplify design and improve cost certainty
- Life-cycle cost advantages of steel bridges
- Prefabricated bridge solutions and local workforce construction
- Resilience and performance benefits of steel bridge systems
Presented By:
Dr. Michael Barker, PE
Professor, University of Wyoming
Director of Education, Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance
Dr. Michael Barker received his BS and MS in Civil Engineering from Purdue University and his PhD from the University of Minnesota. He is a Professor of Civil and Architectural Engineering at the University of Wyoming and serves as Director of Education for the Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance. His research focuses on steel bridges, experimental and field testing, bridge design specifications, high-performance steel, and structural reliability analysis.
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 4-Part Quarterly Webinar Series: Steel Bridge Playbook (Starts Feb. 24)
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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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.
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Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance Semi-Annual Meeting – March 5, 2026
SSSBA members are invited to attend the next semi-annual meeting, available virtually or in person in Washington, D.C., to discuss the latest research, technical advancements and educational initiatives in steel bridge design and construction.
Events
Free Steel Bridge Plate Girder Design Course: 6-Part Live Webinar Series (Starts Dec. 2)
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! 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 brand-new course from the SSSBA.