Steel Bridge Task Force Announces Thomas Murphy as Recipient of the 2026 Richard S. Fountain Award

WASHINGTON, D.C.– The Steel Bridge Task Force, comprised of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), the National Steel Bridge Alliance (NSBA) and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Steel and Metals Technical Committee, has named Thomas P. Murphy, Ph.D., P.E., S.E., senior vice president and chief technical officer of Modjeski and Masters, as the recipient of the 2026 Richard S. Fountain Award.

Named for the founder of the Steel Bridge Task Force, the Richard S. Fountain Award was established in 2001 to recognize leadership in steel bridge research and outstanding efforts to advance AASHTO specifications. Murphy received the award at the Steel Bridge Task Force meeting on September 28 in Anchorage, Alaska.

“Tom’s contributions to steel bridge engineering span virtually every aspect of our profession—from the design of complex signature bridges and nationally significant research to the development and implementation of design specifications,” said Dan Snyder, vice president of construction for AISI. “His technical expertise, leadership and continued support of the Steel Bridge Task Force have made him a trusted resource throughout the bridge community. His work on refined analysis and his stewardship of the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications have had a lasting impact on bridge design and evaluation practices across the country.”

Murphy has more than 25 years of bridge engineering experience encompassing the analysis, design, detailing and rehabilitation of cable-stayed, suspension, arch, truss and girder bridges, with particular expertise in seismic analysis and design. He has been involved in all stages of the bridge design process, from the development of design specifications and conceptual studies through final design and construction support. He served as Engineer of Record for the award-winning I-74 Mississippi River Bridge arch bridges and has led or participated in more than 10 National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) projects. He was also the lead author of the Federal Highway Administration’s Manual for Refined Analysis in Bridge Design and Evaluation.

Murphy has been a longtime contributor to the Steel Bridge Task Force and has provided significant leadership in maintaining the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, working closely with AASHTO committees and bridge industry experts to incorporate and implement revisions to the specifications. He holds a Ph.D. in civil engineering from the University of Michigan and is a registered professional engineer in 30 states.

Thomas P. Murphy, Ph.D., P.E., S.E., senior vice president and chief technical officer of Modjeski and Masters, receives the 2026 Richard S. Fountain Award from Michael Grubb of M.A. Grubb & Associates, LLC.

-####-

Sarah Bryant Burns
202.452.7176 / sburns@steel.org

Dan Snyder
301.367.6179/dsnyder@steel.org

AISI serves as the voice of the American steel industry in the public policy arena and advances the case for steel in the marketplace as the preferred material of choice. AISI’s membership is comprised of integrated and electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmakers, steel pipe and tube manufacturers and steel processors and fabricators, reflecting the production and distribution of both carbon and stainless steels. These steels are critical to America’s national and economic security, including roads and bridges, buildings, the electrical grid, cars and trucks and all clean energy technologies. AISI also represents associate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry. For more news about steel and its applications, view AISI’s website at www.steel.org. Follow AISI on Facebook, LinkedIn, X (@AISISteel) or Instagram. 

The Steel Bridge Task Force was established more than 40 years ago to coordinate research that establishes safe, cost-effective steel bridges and to implement these developments into steel specifications, specifically the AASHTO design codes. The task force is led by AISI and its members include the National Steel Bridge Alliance, AASHTO Steel and Metals Technical Committee, steel producers, steel organizations, steel bridge fabricators, bridge owners, university faculty, consultants and representatives from the Federal Highway Administration.