Agenda - 2026
2026 Agenda
Monday, September 28
3:30pm – 5:30pm
Council Bluffs Room – NCSC States Council Meeting
Closed meeting for State and Authority Representatives
6:00pm – 8:00pm
Elkhorn Room – Event Reception and Registration
This is the first opportunity to network with industry partner providers and new existing contacts with industry professionals. Menu: Pasta Station | Slider Station | Cash Bar
Tuesday, September 29 Confirmed Speakers & Topics
8:00am – 8:15am
Elkhorn Room – Host State Introduction
Welcoming thank you to all attendees and a word from our host state, Kansas DOT, Susan Barker, Structural Materials Engineer, Kansas DOT
8:15 am – 8:45 am
Gold Meeting Sponsor Introduction
Brief discussion on the importance of Quality Assurance Oversight
Terry Logan, Vice President, Atema
Alicia Georger, Chief Sales and Development Officer
8:45am – 9:15am
Understanding the Impact of Edge Preparation on the Life of High-Performance Coating Systems on Highway Bridges
Mike O’Brien, MARK 10 Resource Group, Inc.
DOT specifications vary considerably regarding requirements for edge preparation on steel bridges. Laboratory testing on high-performance coating systems, including inorganic zincs, thermal spray metallizing, and hot-dip galvanizing reveal insufficient edge preparation leads to early corrosion on edges. Actual field observations on bridges indicate the same results - corrosion starts first on the edges of flanges, stiffeners, cross-frames, and connection plates. This practical presentation will discuss the common methods for preparing edges and explain the problems with the current requirements that are resulting in the failures of coatings on edge. It will conclude with recommended changes for a significant reduction in corrosion on edges.
9:15am – 9:45am
How to Avoid Coating Failures of Duplex Coating Systems Applied over Hot-Dip Galvanizing
Mike O’Brien, MARK 10 Resource Group, Inc.
Premature coating failures, sometimes massive and expensive, continue to occur on highway bridges when coatings are applied over hot-dip galvanizing. This extremely practical presentation, showing numerous duplex coating failures on hot-dip galvanizing, will examine why these failures occur, and will explain the steps required to eliminate coating failures with duplex coating systems. Understanding the various stages of galvanizing after its application and the surface preparation issues that promote failures of duplex systems, and the best time to apply coatings to eliminate failures will be discussed.
9:45am – 10:15am
I-70 Polk-Quincy Viaduct Replacement
Christopher Rech, A.M. Cohron & Son, Inc. & Craig Koetting, Quality Control Manager, Delong’s
I-70 Polk-Quincy Viaduct in Downtown Topeka, Kansas was built in 1962 and is being replaced. The viaduct project seeks to improve safety by replacing and flattening out Interstate 70's sharp curve. The New viaduct will consist of two elevated viaduct Steel Bridges, one for eastbound traffic and the other for westbound.
10:15am – 10:45am
Morning Break & Networking Time
Menu: Sliced Fresh Fruit | Breakfast Breads | Coffee | Tea | Soda
10:45am – 11:15am
AISC Industry Updates
Todd Alwood, Vice President Membership & Certification, American Institute of Steel Construction
This session provides an update on AISC initiatives, resources, and certification programs
that support state DOTs and bridge fabricators. Attendees will learn about new fabricator education and online learning opportunities, as well as receive a preview of key bridge-related highlights planned for the 2027 NASCC in Denver.
11:15am – 12pm
Hybrid Galvanize/Metalize Coating of Steel Bridges
Ben Bristol, Director Railroad Marketing & Customer Support, Industrial Steel Construction
James Malaguti, Marketing Development Manager, Valmont
This presentation will focus on the advantages of a hybrid approach that combines the galvanizing of splice plates and cross-frames with the metalizing of girders. This method is a cost-effective solution for achieving long-term protection through these two coatings while maintaining a competitive cost of coating steel bridge structures.
12pm – 12:15pm
AWS Structural Inspector Bridge Updates
Anna Petroski, President, DOT Quality Services
As Chair of AWS Q&C Sub Committee on the Bridge Structural Inspector, Anna will provide an update on the program, including recent developments, key initiatives, and other relevant committee information.
12:15pm – 1:30pm
A word from our gold lunch sponsor, HRV Catered Lunch & Networking
Menu: Parmesan Encrusted Chicken | BBQ Pulled Pork | Salad | Vegetables | Dessert
1:30pm – 2:15pm
Utilizing Optimized Steel Plate Girders as an Economical/Strucutural Alternative
Dr. Michael Barker, University of Wyoming, Director of Education, SSSBA
An evaluation of optimized steel plate girders as an economical and structurally efficient alternative solution for 60’–100’ bridge spans, particularly in cases where larger rolled beams may be less cost-competitive compared with other bridge systems. The presentation includes design comparisons, case studies, optimized design examples, and implementation guidance for engineers and fabricators, with Tanner Genenbacher, Business Development Manager at DeLong’s, providing a fabricator’s perspective on practical application and constructability.
2:15pm – 2:45pm
Fabrication Quality Management: Why Assessment Expertise Matters
Jim Callahan, Director of Technical Services and Development, Atema
This presentation highlights the importance of fabrication quality management, covering best practices, common challenges, and how expert quality assessments help ensure compliance, reduce risk, and deliver successful bridge projects.
2:45pm – 3:15pm
AWS D1.5: 2025 - A brief overview of recent code updates and how State DOTs and fabricators can apply them to improve quality
Kent Nelson, Quality Systems Specialist, DOT Quality Services
Explore key updates to the Bridge Welding Code and how to understand these changes can help DOTs and fabricators improve the fabrication process.
3:15pm – 3:45pm
Afternoon Break & Networking Time
Menu: Assorted Cookies | Assorted Trail Mix | Milk | Coffee | Tea | Soda
3;45pm – 4:30pm
Fabrication and Erection of the Black Hawk Bridge over the Mississippi River
Tom Ringelstetter PE, Chief Engineer, Kraemer North America, LLC
4:30pm – 5:15pm
Panel Discussion: Meeting the Fabrication Needs of Our North Central States
Join three DOT Fabrication Engineers as they discuss common project requirements that are often
overlooked during bidding and fabrication planning. Panelists will share practical insights on meeting field
fit requirements, coordinating sequential testing performed outside the fabrication shop, managing post-
fabrication vendor responsibilities, and other critical considerations that can help fabricators avoid costly
delays, ensure compliance, and successfully deliver bridge projects.
Wednesday, September 30
8:30 am – 12pm
Valmont Valley Campus Tour of Hot-Dip Galvanizing and Laser Seam Welding
Ralph Beam, General Manager, Valmont Valley Galvanizing
Justin Boelter, Engineering Product Manager, Valmont
During the galvanizing tour at Valmont - Valley Galvanizing, attendees will walk through the facility and see the hot-dip galvanizing process from surface preparation through inspection, gaining a high-level understanding of how steel is protected to ensure long-lasting performance and quality.
Attendees are asked to bring their own hard hat, eye protection, and safety vest. Safety toe boots are preferred and recommended; however, they are not required. Closed-toe shoes are required for all tour participants.
Goal of NCSC
To make the job of the State Engineer or Technician easier because they learn how other States handle problems, find solutions, improve their programs and projects, and stay informed on new direction from government agencies and code writing bodies such as AASHTO, FHWA, AWS and other entities that affect steel bridge work.
To serve in the knowledge and continuing education for State and Agency bridge engineers and technicians and managers involved with steel bridge construction and maintenance.