Primary steel plate girders
Approximately 490 tons of bridge steel were modeled and detailed for the SH-16 / SH-44 interchange.
LocationStar, Idaho
Client and fabricatorTrueNorth Steel
Structural steelApproximately 490 tons
Modeling and detailing effortApproximately 400 hours
Project overview
Bridge steel detailing for a major Idaho highway project.
The bridge forms part of the new State Highway 16 and State Highway 44 interchange in Star, Idaho.
The interchange will allow SH-16 traffic to travel freely over SH-44 while providing ramp connections between the two highways. It is part of the Idaho Transportation Department’s broader extension of SH-16 through the rapidly growing Treasure Valley.
Working for TrueNorth Steel, our team modeled and detailed approximately 490 tons of structural steel.
Part of a new limited-access highway corridor.
Construction of the SH-16/SH-44 interchange began in August 2025. When completed, the interchange will replace the existing at-grade intersection and allow SH-16 to pass over SH-44.
The interchange is one of several being constructed as part of the SH-16 extension. The complete corridor is currently expected to open in 2027.
Project team and technical details
- Internal project name
- Idaho Bridge
- Owner
- Idaho Transportation Department
- Structure type
- Steel plate girder bridge
- Primary scope
- Bridge steel modeling and detailing
- Detailing platform
- Tekla Structures
- Interchange construction start
- 2025
- Anticipated corridor opening
- 2027
Detailing scope
Structural steel for a new grade-separated interchange.
Associated structural components
The Tekla model included the additional steel elements forming the complete bridge package for TrueNorth Steel.
Fabrication information
Steel components and bridge geometry provided the basis for the fabrication documentation.
Erection information
The coordinated package also included erection information, with approximately 400 hours devoted to modeling and detailing.
Technical complexity
Coordination and detailing challenges.
Accurate plate girder representation
The modeling process focused on defining the primary bridge members and their geometry accurately in Tekla Structures.
One model for the complete steel package
Associated components were developed alongside the primary girders to keep the bridge steel within a coordinated structural reference.
Consistency from model to drawings
Fabrication and erection information needed to remain consistent with the defined structural components and bridge geometry.
Our approach
One coordinated model for bridge geometry and fabrication data.
Our team used Tekla Structures to define the structural steel components and represent the bridge geometry within a single coordinated model.
The detailing process focused on:
- accurate representation of the steel plate girders,
- modeling of associated structural steel components,
- preparation of fabrication information,
- preparation of erection information,
- consistency between the model and drawings.
Approximately 400 hours were dedicated to the modeling and detailing scope.
Project result
Detailing completed for an interchange currently under construction.
Our team completed the Tekla model and detailing package for approximately 490 tons of bridge steel.
Construction of the broader SH-16 corridor and its interchanges remains in progress, with completion currently planned for 2027.