Bridge Engineer in Training

Missouri FARM Design/Build Bundle project wins Prize Bridge Award. July 17, 2026 The latest issue of Modern Steel Construction highlights the winners of the 2026 AISC/NSBA Prize Bridge Awards, recognizing eight outstanding steel bridge projects that demonstrate innovation, collaboration, and engineering excellence. More than 600 bridges have received a Prize Bridge Award since the program began in 1928, making it one of the steel bridge industry's most prestigious honors. Among this year's winners is a project is especially familiar to the Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance (SSSBA). The FARM Bridges Design/Build Bundle in Missouri earned the National Award in the Short Span Category (no single span greater than 140 feet). The project showcases the work of SSSBA member DeLong's, Inc., which served as the steel fabricator and detailer. A Short Span success story. The FARM (Fixing Access to Rural Missouri) Bridges Design/Build Bundle replaced 31 aging rural creek crossings throughout northern Missouri using an innovative steel solution that delivered both exceptional value and accelerated construction. Working together, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), Wilson & Company, Capital Construction, and DeLong's refined the Simple for Dead Load, Continuous for Live Load (SDCL) bridge system for steel applications - an approach traditionally associated with precast concrete bridges. The results demonstrate why steel continues to be an outstanding choice for short-span bridges. By using steel, the project team was able to simplify fabrication and erection, eliminate field splices, reduce beam depths, minimize transportation and construction costs, and accelerate installation across multiple rural locations. The bundled project was completed one month ahead of schedule and within its $26 million budget, despite supply chain disruptions and material shortages during the COVID-19 era. Learn how the award-winning Missouri FARM Bridges Design/Build Bundle project utilized SDLC design approach to improve short-span bridge delivery. In this on-demand webinar recorded in December 2025, Missouri State Bridge Engineer Bryan Hartnagel explains how SDCL combines efficiency, constructability, and long-term durability to provide an innovative solution for rural bridge replacement projects. Transforming rural bridge replacement with steel. Of the 31 replacement bridges, steel was selected for 26 because of its lighter weight, constructability, and ability to support an accelerated design-build schedule. Steel's adaptability allowed the project team to use shorter beam lengths, eliminate complex field operations, and reduce erection challenges across multiple rural construction sites. The galvanized steel superstructures are expected to provide an approximately 100-year service life while reducing future maintenance requirements. The project demonstrates how steel can provide an effective combination of durability, economy, and constructability for short-span bridge applications. Model for future projects. Perhaps most importantly, the success of the FARM Bridges project has extended beyond these individual structures. The innovative steel SDCL approach proved so effective that it has since been adopted by MoDOT as a standard option for future bridge programs, demonstrating how innovation on one project can influence bridge design and construction across an entire state. The FARM Bridges Design/Build Bundle is an excellent example of the benefits steel provides for short-span bridges, including speed of construction, cost-effectiveness, durability, and long-term value. Congratulations to MoDOT, Wilson & Company, Capital Construction, SSSBA member DeLong's, Inc., and the entire project team on this well-deserved national recognition. To learn more about all eight 2026 Prize Bridge Award winners, read the July issue of Modern Steel Construction. * 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. Learn more about educational events.

Stephen Bryan promoted to Vice President, Civil National Practice Lead at Wilson & Company. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.-(BUSINESS WIRE)-Wilson & Company, Inc., Engineers & Architects announces the promotion of Stephen Bryan, PE, to Vice President, Civil National Practice Lead. With more than a decade of experience leading and delivering complex roadway improvement projects, Bryan leverages his technical expertise, collaborative leadership style and strong client relationships to drive sustained, long-term growth. Bryan's promotion reflects his proven strategic leadership and consistent delivery of results on complex, high-profile initiatives. As a leader at Wilson & Company, he has demonstrated an ability to align people, processes and resources to advance client outcomes and firmwide objectives. In his new role as Civil National Practice Lead, Bryan will build on this foundation to drive operational excellence, support scalable growth across markets and strengthen the firm's civil practice nationwide. "Stephen's leadership in our Salt Lake City office, combined with his technical expertise and sound judgment, has made a lasting impact on our teams and the complex projects he leads. His ability to inspire others, build Higher Relationships and consistently deliver results positions him well to grow our civil practice nationwide in this new role," said Nicholas Thomas, PE, DBIA, Senior Vice President, Civil Operations at Wilson & Company. Bryan also brings a practical, solutions-driven approach to design, creating flexibility that supports innovation, mitigates risk and enables informed decision-making throughout the project life cycle. He has served as project manager on a diverse range of projects, from small cattleguard replacements and pavement rehabilitation to large, traditional design-bid-build programs. Beyond conventional delivery methods, Bryan has played key leadership roles as design manager or deputy design manager on multiple design-build and CM/GC projects, including the West Davis Corridor; Arizona Border Infrastructure: Tucson 63; I-15: The Point; I-15 Technology Corridor; SR-154 at 600 West. Known for delivering complex projects under aggressive schedules and tight budgets, Bryan conducts detailed risk analyses, mentors staff, and builds strong client relationships through clear communication and collaborative teamwork. About Wilson & Company Inc., Engineers & Architects Wilson & Company, Inc., Engineers & Architects, has brought more than 800 people together in 16 offices over nine states to build Higher Relationships through discipline, intensity, collaboration, shared ownership, and solutions with our clients, partners, and communities. After 90 years of business, professionals continue to hone their craft with us, including civil, mechanical, electrical, and structural engineering; architecture; planning; biology; surveying; mapping; GIS specializations; drone piloting; financial analyses; funding and grant administration; program management; construction administration and observation; and a growing number of multi-disciplinary specialties. We seek to create value for a diverse client base, including federal and municipal governments, public transportation agencies, railroad companies, industrial and commercial corporations, and private developers.