2026 World Bridge Engineering Conference
The conference organizing committee of the Innovative Bridge Technologies/Accelerated Bridge Construction University Transportation Center (IBT/ABC-UTC) is continuing the tradition of recognizing excellence in IBT/ABC by seeking nominations for the 2026 World Bridge Engineering Conference (WBEC) ABC / Innovative Bridge Engineering Awards as outlined below. The awards program provides an opportunity to showcase outstanding innovative and accelerated bridge construction projects and to recognize talented individuals that advance ABC and innovative bridge technologies. The need to minimize the impacts of construction and on-site activities elevates innovation and ABC to a higher priority starting at the project planning stage. Benefits of using innovative bridge technologies and ABC include improvements in safety, reduction in life-cycle costs, and reduced impacts to the traveling public and the environment
2026 Award Categories
The following categories are open for nominations through June 30, 2026:
- Innovative Bridge Engineer of the Year
- Innovative Bridge Owner Agency of the Year
- ABC Project of the Year
- Innovative Bridge Technologies Project of the Year
Note: Projects will be considered in three tiers:
- Under $10M
- Between $10M and $100M
- Over $100M
Eligibility
The eligibility requirements for awards are listed below. Previous recipients of ABC-UTC or IBT/ABC-UTC awards are not eligible. Quality of submitted presentations, though not a criterion, is important. Nominations outside the United States are also accepted.
Eligibility – Innovative Bridge Engineer of the Year
- Minimum of 20 years active career in bridge engineering
- Active involvement and development of ABC / innovative bridge projects
- Recognized champion of ABC / innovative bridge technologies
- Promotes project delivery with ABC / innovative construction
- Promotes advanced technologies amongst peers and stakeholders
Eligibility – Innovative Bridge Owner Agency of the Year
- Recognized as a leading agency [federal, state, regional, local, tribal] promoting ABC / innovative bridge technologies
- Active involvement and development of ABC / innovative bridge projects
- Promotes project delivery with ABC / innovative construction
- Promotes advanced technologies amongst peers and stakeholders
Eligibility – ABC and Innovative Bridge Technologies Projects of the Year
- A bridge is defined as a structure, including supports, erected over a depression or an obstruction, such as water, a highway, or a railway, carrying traffic and having an opening measured along the center of the roadway of more than 20 feet between supports.
- Eligible bridges must have been constructed or completed and opened to traffic between October 1, 2024 and June 30, 2026.
- Project utilizes ABC / innovative bridge construction methods in delivering a successful project to completion.
- Dollar value of the project’s total bridge construction cost listed in the submittal will determine which tier the project will be judged.
Note: The owner of the project is the appropriate person/organization to accept the Award.
Judging Panel
The awards judges include bridge engineering professionals with expertise in ABC and innovative bridge technologies, with the following representation:
- State DOT
- Contractor
- Consulting Engineering
Judging Criteria for ABC and Innovative Bridge Technologies Projects of the Year
The judging panel will evaluate entries based on the following criteria:
| Criteria | Weight |
| Innovation, uniqueness, and ingenuity | 15 |
| On-site construction time (time savings) | 10 |
| Minimization of construction impact on the traveling public (vehicles / cyclists / pedestrians / transit) | 15 |
| Demonstrates leadership in ABC / innovative bridge technologies | 15 |
| Exhibits quality in materials and construction control | 10 |
| Efficiency in design for fabrication and construction | 10 |
| Exemplary public coordination/involvement | 5 |
| Enhanced safety to the contractor and the public | 10 |
| Improvement over conventional practice | 10 |
Submission Requirements
All entries are due by 11:59 pm EDT, June 30, 2026 and must meet the detailed requirements outlined herein.
The official online entry forms for the 2026 World Bridge Engineering Conference Awards are now available. Please use the appropriate form below to submit your nomination online, including upload of supporting information:
- Submit Nomination – Innovative Bridge Engineer of the Year
- Submit Nomination – Innovative Bridge Owner Agency of the Year
- Submit Nomination – ABC Project of the Year
- Submit Nomination – Innovative Bridge Technologies Project of the Year
Requirements for upload of supporting information in the entry form include:
- Uploaded attachment shall be in PDF format.
- Total length shall not exceed 10 pages including photos, resumes, project flyers, graphics, charts, etc.
- Narrative page type shall be Arial font, with size no smaller than 11-point font size. Graphical displays with text are not limited to 11-point font but must be legible.
- Submitter name and entry category/tier must appear at the top of the page in the header.
- Name file as follows: Submitter Name_Category-Tier_Submission Date
- Example: “John Public_ABC Project of the Year-Tier 1_06252026”
By submitting this entry form, the entrant agrees to allow publication in print and electronic format.
Entries will be ineligible for consideration if:
- Entry is received after deadline
- Entry is not submitted on the official online entry form
- Length of uploaded attachment in entry form exceeds 10 pages
- Type font size for attachment narrative is smaller than Arial 11
Entries will be reviewed, and those that meet minimum criteria will be requested to provide PowerPoint slides for final judging, using the corresponding PowerPoint template downloaded at the following links:
- Innovative Bridge Engineer of the Year
Download Template - Innovative Bridge Owner Agency of the Year
Download Template - ABC Project of the Year
Download Template - Innovative Bridge Technologies Project of the Year
Download Template
If you are having difficulty uploading your entry or need further clarification, contact Atorod Azizinamini at (402) 770-6210 or via email at aazizina@fiu.edu The winners will be officially announced at the 2026 World Bridge Engineering Conference in Miami in December 2026.