IBC prepares for 25th Anniversary celebration

PITTSBURGH—The International Bridge Conference (IBC) is preparing to celebrate its 25th annual meeting with a new and larger conference venue, an expanded technical program, an expanded trade show, and its first construction-focused track. The 2008 IBC will be held June 2-4 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in downtown Pittsburgh; the conference hotel headquarters will be the Westin Convention Center Hotel.

The IBC kicks off with a keynote session featuring Mary E. Peters, secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation (invited); T. Peter Ruane, Ph.D., president and CEO, American Road and Transportation Builders Association; and John Horsley, executive director, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)—the 2008 IBC featured agency—will host an afternoon session on the first day of the conference with presentations on the history of America’s highways, research and development of bridge technologies, the Highway Bridge Program, major aspects of geotechnical and hydraulic programs, major bridges and tunnels, the Federal Lands Highway Bridge Program, technical assistance in the implementation of bridge technologies, stewardship and oversight of the Highway Bridge Program Division, and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s perspective on the FHWA Highway Bridge Program. Additionally, the FHWA Concrete Mobile Laboratory will be onsite and equipped to demonstrate testing and acceptance of the latest concrete technology for pavements and bridges.

Two full days of technical sessions, seminars, and workshops round out the conference agenda. And, with the new, larger venue, IBC expects a record 150 exhibitors to take part in the trade show.

Check online at www.eswp.com/bridge for agenda details, updates, and registration.