‘Best of’ IBC Webinar Series

The Best of IBC Webinar Series is a great way to preview the high-quality technical content presented at the International Bridge Conference®.

Attendees can earn 1 pdh credit!

Virtual webinars are FREE to attend, but registration is required for pdh certification.

Webinar Time:  12:00 Noon – 1:00 PM

Register Below!

February 11, 2026

Topic: Bridge Inspection and Evaluation

IBC 25-15: Suicide Deterrents Save Lives
David Konz and Hilda Hilferding, AtkinsRéalis, Tampa, FL

The iconic Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Florida was rated #4 as the most frequent location in the United States for bridge jumping suicides, averaging 14.2 suicides each year from 2015-2019. Since installation of a suicide deterrent in early 2021, the annual fatality rate dropped to 0.8 confirmed suicides on average: indicating a dramatic improvement on this tragic statistic. After global research of similar solutions, design progression, full-scale mock-up, and installation, the new suicide deterrent is estimated to have saved 67 lives to date. An incredible success story for engineering!

IBC 25-18: Portage Bay – A segmental bridge built in an active landslide
Bradford Shaffer, P.E., S.E., AECOM, Seattle, WA; Keith Lee, P.E., AECOM, Sacramento, CA; Bryce Binner, P.E., AECOM, Denver, CO; Drew Miller, P.E., AECOM, Tampa, FL, Rasha Jasim, P.E., AECOM, Seattle, WA

The Portage Bay bridges are nearly twin viaducts set to replace the existing seismically vulnerable Portage Bay Bridge. The two structures each are built at 5 piers by semi-balanced cantilever cast-in-place segmental construction, for a total of 12 spans and a bifurcated off-ramp structure on the south bridge. The bridges are stipulated to be reviewed and approved architecturally by the Seattle Design Commission for the aesthetics in a high profile location on Portage Bay, right adjacent to the University of Washington Alaska Airlines Husky Football Stadium. The bridges are stipulated as seismic Recovery Level Bridges per WSDOT, similar to AASHTO’s Critical Bridge definition. Both bridge have their first 3 piers placed directly in an active landslide, which requires additional protection of the piers from the landslide flow. The bridges are part of a total project involving 3 interurban trail bridges connecting the regional trails, of which are carried on the south Portage Bay Bridge. A lid structure adorns the western approach of the bridges with spectacular views of Lake Washinton, the Cascade Mountains and the Olympic Mountains.

April 15, 2026

Topic: Bridge Construction

IBC 25-35: Construction of the Hawk Falls Deck Arch
Josh Crain, P.E., S.E., Genesis Structures, Kansas City, MO; Jarred Musser, Trumbull Corporation, Pittsburgh, PA; Nick Graczyk, Trumbull Corporation, Pittsburgh, PA; Dave Rogowski, Genesis Structures, Kansas City, MO

This paper examines the inherent challenges faced during the erection of the 480-foot Hawk Falls Deck Arch Bridge. The decision-making process surrounding the use of falsework towers versus tie-back systems is explored in detail, highlighting the trade-offs in terms of stability and construction efficiency. The paper highlights the unique challenges and complexities posed by the three variable camber arches, which required careful consideration for fit-up during erection.

IBC 25-37: Launched Construction of Simple-Span Structures for the Laredo-to-Nuevo Laredo Railroad Bridge over Rio Grande River
Ben Pendergrass, Ph.D., P.E., Genesis Structures, Kansas City, MO; Matthew Struemph, OCCI, Fulton, MO; Aaron Bedsworth, OCCI, Fulton, MO

This paper details the construction of six plate girder spans of a railroad bridge over the Rio Grande River, connecting Laredo, Texas to Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. The spans were erected directly north of the project site on temporary falsework. One-by-one, the spans were transported onto a temporary trestle bridge positioned to the east of the final alignment using SPMTs. Each span was then transversely slid into the final alignment orientation using a hydraulic sliding system and slide beams. The spans were then sequentially launched longitudinally south along the alignment using a strand jacking system, temporary launch bents, and a roller system. Once a span was launched beyond the transverse sliding area, the following span was then transversely slid into alignment and longitudinally pinned to the previous span. The pinned spans were then progressively launched in series until reaching their final position. The pinning of the spans allowed for longitudinal launching of the simple-span structures over a total of 800-ft. Vertical jacking was then utilized to position each span onto the permanent bearings. Final placement of the spans on their bearings was successfully completed in August of 2024.

Past Webinars

Viewing recordings are not eligible for pdh credit

January, 2026

Topic: Suspension Bridges   View the Recording

IBC 25-05: Constructing the Benjamin Franklin Bridge’s Dehumidification System
Joshua Pudleiner, AECOM, Philadelphia, PA; Elisabeth Klawunn, P.E., Delaware River Port Authority, Camden, NJ; Tyler Pritz, P.E., AECOM, Philadelphia, PA; Elizabeth Lucchesi, AECOM, Conshohocken, PA

IBC 25-06: A Case Study on the Replacement of OSPD Deck Panels on an Existing Suspension Bridge
Dillon Betts, Ph.D., P.E., P.Eng., COWI North America, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Jorge Perez Armino, COWI North America, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Aaron Ferguson, COWI North America, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

December, 2025

Topic: Demolition   View the Recording

IBC 25-02: Demolition of the I64 Truss over the Kanawha River using Strand Jacking and Balanced Cantilever Demolition
Peter Quinn, Tunstall Engineering Group, Chester Springs, PA; Shawn Tunstall, P.E., Tunstall Engineering Group, Cranberry Township, PA; Jarid Antonio, P.E., Tunstall Engineering Group, Cranberry Township, PA; Jeff Slezak, Trumbull Corporation, Pittsburgh, PA; Thomas Hesmond, Brayman Construction Corporation, Saxonburg, PA

IBC 25-03: Buck O’Neil Bridge Demolition
John Boschert, and Zach Bardot, Genesis Structures, Kansas City, MO; Kevin Deye, Massman Construction Co., Overland Park, KS