Short Span Steel Bridges 
White House Announces Action Plan to Accelerate Infrastructure
The following excepts were provided by the White House: Biden-Harris Action Plan for Accelerating Infrastructure Projects
On October 13, 2022, at the White House Accelerating Infrastructure Summit, the Administration and outside organizations announced an Action Plan for Accelerating Infrastructure Projects to focus attention on, and fast-track, innovation in the delivery of infrastructure investments in America.
The actions outlined in the plan support the more efficient delivery of infrastructure in America, on time, on task, and on budget.
A buried steel bridge in Springfield, Missouri saved 3 months of construction time and $500,00 versus precast/conventional options.
Action Plan Highlights
Key actions include:
- Launching the Department of Transportation (DOT) Project Delivery Center of Excellence to support and educate transportation infrastructure project managers from state, Tribal, local, and territorial governments in successful project planning and implementation.
- Expanding the Federal Highway Administration’s Every Day Counts Program, a federal-state collaborative partnership which identifies and deploys new ways to accelerate the delivery of highway infrastructure, including innovations applicable to transit and rail projects.
- Launching a new “Dig Once” initiative for broadband, transportation and electrification projects to coordinate efforts, lower project costs and minimize disruptions
A 104 foot multi-span press-brake steel tub girder bridge in Traverse City, Michigan was installed in a single morning.
In addition, FHWA will expand its Technical Assistance Programs by 40% and re-launch its Tribal Technical Assistance Program with eight new regional centers. These networks will provide training and technical assistance so that they can access and use Federal funds for projects on locally-owned roads and bridges.
Read the original White House fact sheet
Download the Biden-Harris Action Plan for Accelerating Infrastructure Projects
Prefabricated Steel Bridges Provide a Safe and Cost Effective Solution for ABC
Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) is bridge construction that uses design and construction methods to reduce the onsite construction time and mobility impacts that occur when building new bridges or replacing and rehabilitating existing bridges. Steel bridge have many accelerated construction benefits:
- Steel bridges can be fabricated off-site in a controlled equipment and ready to erect as soon as it reaches the bridge site.
- Steel is often lighter than other materials for the same span, resulting in smaller or fewer erection cranes.
- Prefabricated steel bridges accelerate construction and reduce on-site labor requirements, reduce traffic disruption, and overall project costs. They are also safe – reducing the exposure of workers and public to construction activities as well as environmental impacts.
Learn more about the benefits of prefabricated steel solutions.
Does steel provide a sustainable option for bridges?
Steel is the most recycled material on the planet. Some of the sustainable advantages of steel include:
- Steel from a disassembled bridge can be used again for another project.
- Steel bridges can last 100 years or more, with minimal maintenance over their long service lives.
- The high strength of steel permits longer spans, which minimizes disruption to underlying habitats.
- Steel is highly resistant to extreme natural disasters such as earthquakes.
- The American steel industry has achieved a 31 percent reduction in energy intensity and a 36 percent reduction in greenhouse gas intensity since 1990.
News
Missouri Steel Bridge Bundle Project Wins Prize Bridge Award
The National Steel Bridge Alliance (NSBA) named Missouri’s FARM Bridges Design/Build Bundle the 2026 Prize Bridge Award winner in the Short Span category. Fabricated by SSSBA member DeLong’s, the project delivered 31 rural bridges across 15 counties using galvanized steel and SDCL design for a 100-year service life.
Design
NSBA Releases Updated Bolted Splice Spreadsheet 4.01
NSBA’s Bolted Splice Spreadsheet 4.01 streamlines connection design with expanded options and updated AASHTO LRFD provisions for faster, more economical solutions.
News
ARTBA Reports $15 Billion Committed Through Bridge Formula Program as Needs Remain
According to an ARTBA analysis, states have committed $15 billion through the bridge formula program, yet one in three bridges still needs work.