FHWA's bridge and structures research and development provides technologies and solutions to advance the state-of-the-art and practice in highway infrastructure engineering. FHWA's bridge and structures research is carried out as an integral part of FHWA's broader Infrastructure Research and Technology (R&T) Program. Accordingly, it contributes to agency-wide efforts to achieve the Agency's infrastructure R&T goals and strategic objectives.

To achieve these goals and objectives, the Office's bridge and structures R&D experts conduct and manage research that enable an integrated, comprehensive, performance-based approach to facilitate the design, construction, and management of highway infrastructure. This includes developing: guidelines and specifications for design and construction of structural components and systems; tools and data to monitor and assess structural and functional performance; technologies and approaches that improve long-term durability and performance; and technologies and practices to withstand the effects of extreme events.