Bridge & Elevated Highway Construction in the US: Market Size, Businesses & Forecast 2026

The bridge and elevated highway construction industry in the US focuses on building and maintaining infrastructure for transportation networks, including bridges, overpasses, and elevated roadways. This sector is supported by significant federal infrastructure investment, with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocating $110 billion for roads, bridges, and major projects (USDOT, 2022). The industry continues to face challenges with aging infrastructure, as the American Society of Civil Engineers gave US infrastructure a grade of C- in 2021, with bridges specifically scoring C.

Industry snapshot

Key public data points

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What does the Bridge & Elevated Highway Construction in the US industry cover?

The bridge and elevated highway construction industry encompasses the planning, design, and construction of bridges, elevated highways, and overpasses. This includes both new construction and rehabilitation, repair, and maintenance of existing structures. The work is typically undertaken by specialized contractors working with engineering firms and government transportation agencies.

• •The Federal Highway Administration reports there are over 617,000 bridges in the US National Bridge Inventory (FHWA, 2023)
• •Approximately 42,000 bridges are classified as structurally deficient (ASCE, 2021)
• •The industry covers both highway and railroad bridges, as well as pedestrian and other specialized structures

Who operates in the industry and how is it structured?

The bridge and elevated highway construction industry operates as a fragmented market with both large national firms and smaller regional players. Market participants include heavy civil construction contractors, specialized bridge builders, and engineering firms that design these complex structures. Projects are typically awarded through competitive bidding processes by federal, state, and local transportation departments.

• •Top specialized bridge construction firms include Flatiron Constructors, Skanska USA Infrastructure, and Trumbull Corporation
• •The industry includes both union and non-union contractors with different cost structures and labor approaches
• •Projects are often bundled with other transportation infrastructure work in larger highway improvement programs

What drives demand in the industry?

Demand for bridge and elevated highway construction is primarily driven by the need to replace and upgrade aging infrastructure, increased traffic volumes, and federal funding initiatives. The industry benefits from ongoing maintenance requirements and the need for improved safety standards. Climate change considerations are also driving demand for more resilient structures in vulnerable regions.

• •The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides $110 billion for road and bridge improvements over five years (USDOT, 2022)
• •The Federal Highway Administration estimates the US needs to invest $20.5 billion annually for 20 years to improve bridge conditions (FHWA, 2020)
• •Growing freight transportation needs require stronger bridges to handle increased loads (AASHTO, 2022)

Who are the notable companies in the industry?

The competitive landscape includes several large construction firms with significant bridge and highway capabilities. These companies combine technical expertise with financial resources to bid on major infrastructure projects. Competition is based on technical capabilities, past performance, and pricing structures, with larger firms often winning the most significant projects.

• •Flatiron Constructors (a subsidiary of Hensel Phelps) is a leading bridge builder in the western US
• •Skanska USA Infrastructure has extensive experience in complex bridge and viaduct construction
• •Trumbull Corporation specializes in heavy civil construction including bridge projects in the northeast
• •Granite Construction has major capabilities in bridge and highway infrastructure

What are the recent trends and outlook?

The industry is experiencing increased focus on sustainable construction methods, digital design tools, and accelerated construction techniques. Supply chain disruptions and material cost increases have challenged project timelines and budgets. The outlook remains positive due to significant federal funding and the ongoing need to address infrastructure deficits.

• •Use of prefabricated bridge elements is increasing to accelerate construction timelines (NCHRP, 2022)
• •Federal infrastructure spending is expected to boost industry revenue through 2026 (CBO, 2022)
• •Advanced materials like carbon fiber composites are being used for bridge rehabilitation (FHWA, 2023)

How is the industry regulated?

The bridge and elevated highway construction industry is subject to numerous federal, state, and local regulations governing safety, environmental compliance, and design standards. The Federal Highway Administration establishes national design standards through the AASHTO Bridge Design Specifications, while state departments of transportation implement additional requirements.

• •The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires environmental reviews for major projects
• •The Davis-Bacon Act mandates prevailing wages on federally funded construction projects
• •The Federal Highway Administration's National Bridge Inspection Standards regulate bridge safety inspections (23 CFR 650)

Government, statistical and trade sources used for this Claight analysis.

• USDOT Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Summary 2022 ·
• FHWA National Bridge Inventory 2023 ·
• ASCE Infrastructure Report Card 2021 ·
• AASHTO Freight Capacity Report 2022 ·
• FHWA Bridge Condition Assessment 2020 ·
• CBO Infrastructure Spending Outlook 2022