Buried Bridge
Buried Steel Bridges Provide a Durable Option for Short Span Crossings
An economical choices for bridge replacement or bridge rehabilitation is corrugated steel pipe and structural plate pipe systems – also known as buried bridges.
Buried bridges carry loads through soil-structure interaction. The bridge structure and the backfill soils surrounding it interact with each other to support the loads. Because of this interaction, the bridge structure is typically lighter. Some advantages of buried bridges include:
- Low Cost and Speed of Installation: Buried bridges generally provide a low installed cost compared to other options, often less than half the cost of a typical bridge. This benefit is increased when you consider the fast installation times. Structures are installed in days and often without disruption.
- Minimal Maintenance: Buried bridge systems require significantly less maintenance. While periodic inspection may be required, there are no expensive bridge decks or bridge approaches to maintain.
- Durability of Coatings and Service Life: Buried bridges are available in a variety of coatings meeting nearly any service life requirement up to 100+ years. Galvanized, aluminized and polymer-coated CSP are just a few of the coating options. These and other coating options are addressed in the NCSPA Service Life Guide.
- Environmental Benefits: Habitat protection and environmental enhancements are major benefits of using long span structures. Habitats are preserved by spanning the riparian zones and preserving or creating a natural streambed. Simply burying the invert can also provide an effective and economical biological enhancement. Additionally, fish passage enhancements can be incorporated in the structure.
If you are looking for a buried steel bridge supplier, please see Find-a-Supplier for a complete company directory.
Corrugated Steel Pipe Safeguards Rail System from Excessive Storm Water
The National Corrugated Steel Pipe Association (NCSPA) spotlights a project that used corrugated steel pipe to provide a storm water solution in only 8 hours.
New Resiliency Video Compares Corrugated Steel Pipe to Other Materials
The National Corrugated Steel Pipe Association (NCSPA) launched a new video focused on the resiliency of corrugated steel pipe – commonly used in buried steel bridges.
Funding On Its Way for Rail Bridges
The Biden administration announced $16.4 billion for rail projects along Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor as part of the overall investments in infrastructure.
On-Demand Steel Bridge Video Series: Learning By Example
A distinguished panel of 8 industry experts to present case studies that offer innovative and cost-effective examples of steel bridge replacement projects.
October 31: Webinar – Demonstrated Performance of Buried Bridges
The American Galvanizers Association invites you to attend a 1-hour webinar sustainable development and hot-dip galvanizing.
New Sustainability Video Compares Corrugated Steel Pipe to Other Materials
The National Corrugated Steel Pipe Association (NCSPA) launched a new video focused on the sustainability of corrugated steel pipe – commonly used in buried steel bridges.
Union Pacific Bridge Replacement Wins NCSPA Project of the Year Award
A timber trestle Union Pacific Bridge was rehabilitated using polymer-coated structural plate pipe without disrupting rail operations.
Connecticut DOT Buried Steel Bridge Wins NCSPA Project of the Year Award
The Yellow Mill Bridge project had specific needs that had to be met – a custom steel buried bridge provided by Contech Engineered Solutions met all of them.
NCSPA Announces Project of the Year Winners
The National Corrugated Steel Pipe Association announced the 2023 project of the year winners, including three members of the Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance.
NCSPA Announces 36th Annual Safety Award Winners
The National Corrugated Steel Pipe Association presented 46 plants with safety awards – including SSSBA members Contech and TrueNorth Steel.
Steel Pipe Arch Bridge Restores Roadway After Peak Storm
After storms washed out a North Dakota access road, a corrugated steel pipe arch bridge was quickly installed to mitigate the problem.
County-Built Steel Plate Arch Bridge Turns 82
Built in 1941 by the Union County (Iowa) county crew, a 30 foot structural steel plate arch bridge is still performing well after 82 years.
NCSPA Establishes Student Scholarship Opportunities
The National Corrugated Steel Pipe Association establishes three new student scholarship opportunities for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Mason County (WA) Installs Buried Steel Bridge With Local Crews, Saves Money
Mason County (WA) provided cost savings to their residents by installing a Contech 30′ 8″ span x 9′ 8″ rise deep corrugated steel box culvert bridge with their local road crew.
Steel Culvert Saves Minnesota County Time and $15,000 Over Concrete Options
Olmsted County needed a cost-effective solution to quickly replace a concrete structure before it collapsed – steel saved $15,000 and took less than 2 days to install.
ASTM International Honors Joel Hahm with Distinguished Service Award
Joel Hahm, Contech Engineered Solutions, was recognized for his exemplary contributions to the success of committee A05 and industry-leading expertise on buried bridges.
NCSPA Publishes New Polymer Coating Report
This new report from NCSPA describes testing performed to support the development of a new ASTM specification for polymer-coated corrugated steel structural plate.
Buried Steel Bridge Saves $500,000 and Three Months Versus Concrete Option
Contech wins the NCSPA Project of the Year award for the I-44 EB & WB buried steel bridge in Missouri.
Norfolk Southern Bridge Wins NCSPA Project of the Year Award
The award winning Norfolk Southern Bridge over Stoney Creek is a classic example of how structural integrity to an existing bridge can be restored without disrupting rail operations.
Buried Steel Bridge: High Speed Railway Ecological Overpass
This award winning project is the first ever corrugated steel plate ecological overpass constructed on a high speed railway in the world!
Buried Steel Bridges: CSPI 2-Part Video Series
The Corrugated Steel Pipe Institute and the Ontario Good Roads Association present a two-part video series on the use of buried steel bridges.
Buried Steel Bridge Designed for 100-Year Service Life
The deep corrugated structural plate bridge enables safe vehicle traffic as well as free water flow of the Bauda River in Poland.
Buried Steel Bridge Provides Solution for Deteriorated Concrete Arch
The Kansas Department of Transportation elected to replace an existing concrete arch in place using a deep corrugated structural plate buried bridge from Big R Bridge.
Flexible Buried Bridges: Advantages and Applications (Part 1)
Learn why flexible buried steel bridges are widely considered an attractive and economical alternative for conventional bridge crossings.
Flexible Buried Bridges: Design and Construction (Part 2)
When designing a flexible buried steel bridge, factors such as site conditions, foundation alternatives, and construction considerations should be examined.
Buried Steel Bridge Provides Crossing for Reindeer
In an effort to safely help the reindeer cross through a busy highway, officials in Norway decided it was time to install a wildlife crossing.
What is a Buried Steel Bridge?
Joel Hahm, Contech Engineered Solutions, provides information on buried steel bridges.
Buried Steel Bridge Selected Over Concrete to Reduce Environmental Impact
A buried steel bridge was constructed as an alternative to a concrete structure to reduce disruptions to the surrounding environment and allow quick installation.
Corrugated Steel Pipe and Plate Survey: Enter To Win A $100 Gift Card
The National Corrugated Steel Pipe Association is conducting a survey to obtain feedback on corrugate steel pipe and plate products.
Steel Plate Arch Buried Bridge Provides Natural Pathway for Fish to Spawn
The Falcon Ridge 11.5′ fish passage structure provide easy fish passage for the local spawning trout and steel head.
Buchanan County Provides Virtual Tour of Iowa Steel Bridges
In this 20 minute video, county engineer Brian Keierleber provides an in-depth overview of 5 steel bridges built in Buchanan County, Iowa.
Caltrans Buried Steel Bridge Project Includes ‘Critter Crossing’ for Wildlife
The award winning Caltrans Lake 29 Expressway buried steel bridge project features over 150 tons of steel products.
James Madison University Land Bridge Wins NCSPA Project of the Year Award
The award winning Land Bridge was constructed using Contech’s galvanized, deep-corrugation structural plate arch system.
Johnson Creek Buried Bridge Wins NCSPA Project of the Year Award
The Johnson Creek project involved removing a fish barrier and replacing it with a fish-friendly, bottomless arch.
What You Should Know About Buried Bridges
Joel Hahm, Contech Engineered Solutions, provides an expert Q&A on buried bridges.
Capabilities and Advantages of Steel Buried Bridges
In this video, Joel Hahm and Michael McGough provide an overview of buried steel bridges.
Buried Steel Bridge Wins Award
Contech buried steel bridge wins the ASCE Parks & Rec Project of the Year for project in City of Laguna Niguel, California.
Video: Options for Short Span Steel Bridge Solutions
This video provides a summary of economical short span steel bridge solutions to consider for various lengths of crossings.
Steel Expedites Replacement of Washed Out Bridge in South Dakota
TrueNorth Steel expedites the production of twin 120″ x 86′ long 5 x 1 galvanized culverts with two 30 degree skewed headwalls.
Contractor Saves $15,000 With Steel Structural Plate Arch
The 9’-0” x 3’-10½” single- radius steel structural plate arch was assembled by the contractor and installed in only two days.
Project Spotlight: Captain William Henry Moore Bridge
A 75 ft span x 15 ft rise buried steel bridge was constructed over a creek crossing in Alaska.
Iowa County Saves Costs by Choosing Buried Steel Bridge for Replacement Project
Buried steel bridge is constructed with local crews in Buchanan County Iowa.
Hidden in Plain Sight–the Design, Cost and Maintenance Advantages of Steel Buried Bridges
Steel buried bridges are durable and resilient, with the ability to support very heavy loads.