Southeast Schools Encouraged to Participate in MoDOT's 22nd Annual Bridge Building Competition

The Missouri Department of Transportation is sponsoring its 22nd annual bridge building competition for high school juniors and seniors in the Southeast District’s 25-county region. The competition challenges students to design and construct the most efficient model bridge using limited materials−balsa wood, thread and glue.

Registration is completed online only. Teachers may submit all of their students’ information on one online form. Competition rules can be found here.

Bridge kits will be mailed to the participating schools the week of Sept.15. Completed bridges will be picked up from participating schools on Wednesday, Oct. 28 and Thursday, Oct. 29. These completed bridges must be available for pick up on the specified dates and should ONLY use materials supplied in MoDOT’s bridge kit.

Bridges entered in the competition will be tested on Wednesday, Nov. 12, at Southeast Missouri State University’s Academic Hall, located at 900 Normal Ave. in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, at 9 a.m. The lightest bridge to carry the greatest load will ultimately be declared the winner. Cash prizes donated by the Missouri Society of Professional Engineers and Rotary Club of Southeast Missouri Service will be awarded to the top bridge building winners, as well as for the most aesthetic bridge and the electronic bridge building contest. Similar to previous years, cash prizes will be given to the top five schools with the best overall performance. High schools must attend to win.

MoDOT has partnered with Arkansas State University to offer the first-place winner a $1,000 scholarship. 

For more information, please contact Senior Communications Specialist Ashley Metelski at Ashley.metelski@modot.mo.gov or 573-380-9432, or MoDOT's Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636).