Short Span Steel Bridges 
Building Better Bridges in 2025 – On-Demand Steel Bridge Video Series
The Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance and American Galvanizers Association co-sponsored a four-part webinar series for bridge owners, designers, faculty and students to provide educational information on short span steel bridges. The webinars feature a distinguished panel of industry experts presenting information on topics essential to the cost-efficient and resilient design of steel bridges.
The recorded presentations (December 2025) are now available to view on-demand.
* Please note: Professional development hours are not included for viewing the recorded session on this website page. If you registered for the webinar series, and have not received your PDH certificate, contact Jeff Cunningham (jcunningham@galvanizeit.org).
Title: Building Better Bridges in 2025: 4-Part Live Webinar Series
Webinar #1: Steel vs. Concrete Life Cycle Performance and Costs
Description: Replacing aging bridges is a complex challenge for state and county bridge owners and designers, demanding a careful balance of performance, durability and budget. This webinar offers a groundbreaking analysis from the University of Wyoming of over 1,700 steel and concrete bridges, revealing how various materials, designs and protection systems compare in terms of historical life performance and life cycle costs. Drawing on insights from bridges built since 1960, with spans up to 500 feet, this session offers valuable data to make smarter, more cost-effective decisions for any bridge replacement programs. Don’t miss this opportunity to rethink your approach to bridge investment!
Presenter: Michael Barker, Ph.D., P.E., Professor, Civil & Architectural Engineering and Director of the SSSBA Bridge Education Center, University of Wyoming
Webinar #2: Unlocking the Potential of Buried Steel Structures
Description: This insightful webinar explores the advantages of buried steel bridges. Learn how these structures combine flexibility, resilience, and cost-effectiveness while meeting AASHTO standards for design and durability. Featuring real-world case studies, this presentation highlights innovative solutions for short-span bridge replacements, grade separation and challenging geotechnical conditions. Discover how buried bridges offer sustainable, low-maintenance options with applications in wildlife crossings, emergency bridges, and more. Ideal for professionals seeking durable and efficient infrastructure solutions.
Presenter: Joel Hahm, P.E., Senior Engineer, Contech Engineered Solutions LLC
Webinar #3: Next-Gen Steel Bridge Design Tools for Smarter Solution
Description: Discover the future of steel bridge design with next-generation tools that are transforming the industry and redefining innovation in bridge engineering. This webinar will feature an overview of eSPAN140, a trusted resource streamlining preliminary designs for short-span steel bridges, and SIMON, a powerful load rating tool enabling optimized analysis and evaluation. We will also introduce a new off-system steel bridge design tool set for release in late 2025. This innovative tool addresses design challenges associated with off-system bridges, offering flexibility for diverse configurations, a variety of decking options and customizable vehicle loads. Learn how these tools are advancing cost-effective, resilient solutions to meet today’s infrastructure demands.
Presenter: Michael Barker, Ph.D., P.E., University of Wyoming and Director of Director of the SSSBA Bridge Education Center
Webinar #4: Simple for Dead, Continuous for Live Designs for Optimal Performance
Description: Learn about the Simple for Dead, Continuous for Live (SDLC) bridge design method, which combines simple spans for dead loads with continuous spans for live loads, delivering exceptional efficiency and durability. Tailored for rural applications, SDCL bridges simplify construction, reduce material costs and minimize foundation requirements. With lighter steel beams and galvanized components, these bridges offer long-lasting, low-maintenance performance. Discover how this adaptable approach aligns with programs like the Missouri DOT’s Fixing Access to Rural Missouri (FARM) bridge program, providing practical and cost-effective solutions for the state’s critical rural bridge needs.
Presenter: Bryan Hartnagel, State Bridge Engineer, Missouri Department of Transportation
Schedule a Webinar or Workshop
This event was part of a broader initiative by the SSSBA, which has provided training to more than 25,000 bridge owners and designers across the United States. The webinar contributed to this ongoing effort, offering practical insights into how short-span steel solutions can help address today’s infrastructure challenges with speed, efficiency, and long-term value.
If you are interested in scheduling a webinar or workshop in your area, please contact:
- Dan Snyder (Director of the SSSBA) at dsnyder@steel.org or
- Michael Barker (University of Wyoming & SSSBA Director of Education) at barker@uwyo.edu
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.
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