The strength and growth of the nation's economy are intimately linked to the strength of our highways and bridges. Among industrialized nations, the U.S. has the largest number of bridges, 590,040, according to "Better Roads" (November 1997). Of these, 179,455 (30.45%) are structurally or functionally deficient. In 1992, the cost of replacing deficient bridges was estimated at $78 billion, while bridge expenditures for the same period, excluding new construction, were approximately $5 billion from all sources; federal, state and local.

The replacement, retrofit and maintenance of deficient bridges provides a challenge to state, federal, and local agencies as well as to industry and academia. To resolve these challenges it is prudent to assemble a multidisciplinary group with members having various expertise covering both engineering and social science fields. A model in which the cooperation of all interested groups is ensured from the onset would be ideal. The establishment of the National Bridge Research Organization (NaBRO) at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is an attempt to provide such a platform. In fostering cooperation between academia, industry and government agencies NaBRO will be a liaison in developing and implementing new technologies related to bridge design and construction. Through recent years the State of Nebraska, together with the neighboring States of Kansas, Iowa and Missouri, has taken the lead in developing and implementing many new ideas in the field of bridge engineering. The first High Performance Steel Bridge constructed in the U.S. and opened to traffic is located in Nebraska. The first High Performance Concrete Bridge to open to traffic is also located in Nebraska.

The researchers at NaBRO are in the forefront of resolving design issues that will facilitate the use of high performance steel in bridge construction. These and other research accomplishments of the affiliated researchers are the reasons for great optimism for the future of NaBRO. At NaBRO we are excited to have the opportunity to work towards developing new knowledge and resolving issues related to bridge engineering. We also hope that the bridge industry will consider NaBRO a source through which they can find solutions to complex and challenging bridge engineering problems and provide us with feedback so that we may enhance our productivity.