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
Infrastructure Week 2026: How Steel Bridges Maximize Transportation Investment (May 20)
Join the Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance, American Iron and Steel Institute and the American Galvanizers Association during Infrastructure Week 2026 for a free webinar exploring how resilient design strategies can help maximize the long-term impact of federal infrastructure investment. 1.0 LU/PDH (HSW Hour) provided.
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Free Live Lecture: Steel Bridges – Smarter by the Numbers (May 14 – Portland, OR)
Attend a free Lunch & Learn exploring how data-driven comparisons between steel and concrete can support smarter bridge design, cost and lifecycle decisions. Hosted by SSSBA member Fought & Company and led by Dr. Michael G. Barker, the session will highlight how broader evaluation criteria can improve project outcomes.
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Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance Semi-Annual Meeting (Oct. 12-14, 2026 – Omaha, NE)
SSSBA members are invited to attend the next Semi-Annual meeting in Omaha, Nebraska to discuss the latest research, technical advancements and educational initiatives in steel bridge design and construction. This meeting will be co-located with the National Association of County Engineers (NACE) Executive Committee and Board meetings.
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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. This course is accredited by AIA and RCEP to provide 1.0 LU/PDH (HSW Hours).
News
SSSBA to Present and Exhibit at NASCC in Atlanta (April 22-24)
The SSSBA will present and exhibit at NASCC: The Steel Conference, April 22-24 in Atlanta, Georgia. Stop by booth #950 to learn about the benefits of steel bridges and pickup a free gift!
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Free Webinar: Designing Stream Crossings to Improve Fish Passage and Flood Resiliency (April 23)
Join SSSBA member Contech Engineered Solutions for a webinar on Aquatic Organism Passage (AOP) and stream simulation design. Learn how properly sized bridges and culverts improve fish passage, strengthen flood resilience, and support long-term infrastructure performance.