The National Steel Bridge Alliance, founded in 1995, is a non-profit division of the American Institute of Steel Construction Inc. (AISC). NSBA seeks to make steel the material of choice for bridges through marketing, technology, education, and legislative action. Members of NSBA consist primarily of steel-producing and fabrication companies. Currently NSBA has about 125 active members and 40 affiliate members (engineering firms, DOTs, and companies supplying parts and materials).

NSBA Goals:

• Increase steel’s market share versus concrete.
• Create awareness that steel is the most cost-effective, durable and aesthetically pleasing medium for bridges.
• Unify the aims of the steel bridge construction industry.
• Simplify and standardize design, construction, and maintenance standards and practices.
• Create a comprehensive database for life cycle costs.
• Promote use of new high-performance steels and weathering steels for bridges.
• Promote the environmental benefits of steel, a 100 percent recyclable material.

AASHTO/NSBA Steel Bridge Collaboration: Joint effort between the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and NSBA with representatives from state Departments of Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration, academia, and the various industries related to steel bridge design, fabrication and inspection. The collaboration acts to unify the existing diverse state requirements and to foster the sharing of resources among steel bridge professionals.

NSBA Industry Services

• Steel Superstructure Design Assistance—"Preliminary" design assistance based on the best of current practice is available to help those designers who are making cost analyses during the early stages of a project.
• Design Reviews—The NSBA will conduct confidential design reviews at various stages of drawing completion. In this way, designers and owners can have the benefit of the best industry thinking regarding cost-effective design, detailing and fabrication practices. This service is essentially value-engineering at the front-end of a project.

The NSBA holds this symposium every other year, bringing together design engineers, construction professionals, academia, federal and state transportation officials, fabricators, erectors, and contractors. The symposium includes workshops, lectures, technical sessions, and presentation of the NSBA Prize Bridge Awards.

The Prize Bridge Awards honor significant and innovative steel bridges constructed within the U.S.  Awards are presented in a variety of categories, including: long span; long intermediate span; short intermediate span; short span; movable span; railroad; and special purpose.