Prize Bridge Awards

We're now accepting entries for the 2028 Prize Bridge Awards!

Yes, you read that right--we're already accepting entries for the 2028 competition. Applications are due September 31, 2027, but if you're ready, go for it!

2028 marks 100 years since NSBA presented its first award to the Sixth Street Bridge in Pittsburgh. Is your project ready to join the hundreds of bridges of all sizes that have won Prize Bridge Awards since then?

Today's Prize Bridge Awards recognize bridges on a biennial basis, with winners in the spotlight at the World Steel Bridge Symposium, which is incorporated into NASCC: The Steel Conference.

If you have recently worked on a bridge that embodies the pioneering spirit of modern bridge-building, we want to hear about it!

Bridge of the Year
All projects eligible for a 2028 Prize Bridge Award are also eligible for the Bridge of the Year. 

The panel of expert judges selects three finalists, then those teams take the stage at the World Steel Bridge Symposium to show off what makes their bridges truly exceptional. The audience votes right then and there to choose a winner!

Owner of the Year
The Owner of the Year award specifically recognizes the DOTs, counties, cities, tollways, and other bridge owners nationwide.

Nominees must demonstrate a significant contribution to the advancement of the steel bridge industry. Examples include:

• An owner-designed steel bridge, including any span length and project size.
• Spearheading steel bridge research leading to practical solutions.
• Executing an emergency response that successfully restores bridge service following an incident, and collaboration between owners, fabricators, producers, and contractors.

Beyond these core factors, judges look for owners who demonstrate repair and rehabilitation techniques, as well as policies, that can be adopted nationwide. Judges also consider the effective implementation of new maintenance procedures that extend the service life of steel bridges, and the creation of design manuals that emphasize efficiency. Additionally, judges consider life-cycle cost and sustainability in the bridge-type selection phase that promote the use of steel bridges.

How It Works
The best bridges are built by teams, and any member of the project team may submit a bridge for consideration.

A panel of industry professionals considers innovation, economics, aesthetics, design, and engineering solutions. The competition has six categories:

• Short span - No single span greater than 140 ft.
• Medium span - Longest span equal to or greater than 140 ft. but less than 300 ft.
• Major span - One or more spans greater than or equal to 300 ft.
• Movable span
• Rehabilitation - Projects that work on an existing structure without replacing primary members. New structures built on an existing alignment should be entered by span length.
• Special purpose - Bridge that does not fit any of the above categories. Examples include bridges for pedestrians, pipelines, and airplanes.

Each bridge may compete in only one category. All entries in all competition categories will be considered for Bridge of the Year and Owner of the Year. 

The judges may move submitted bridges between categories if they think a project is better suited to a category that’s different than the one in which it was entered. The judges consider each bridge in terms of innovation, economics, aesthetics, design, and engineering solutions. 

At their discretion, judges may also present a Presidential Award for truly exceptional projects.

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