Delaware Bridge Design Competition 2023

Workforce development is essential to find and attract creative, innovative, and energetic minds for bridge and highway work in the future. The Delaware Department of Transportation invites 7-12 grade students to design and construct model bridges as part of a fun and educational exercise in hopes that tomorrow's design engineers, planners, contractors, and inspectors will be inspired to consider this rewarding field.
Competition is often fierce and students are serious about being the best. On the day of the competition, 200-300 students gather from across the state, present their design approach to expert panels, answer questions, and then watch as their models are subjected to design loads and beyond, finding the failure point. Wally the Work Zone Warrior is the face of gold, silver, and bronze awards for the best teams in each category and monetary awards come with them.
While DelDOT coordinates the event (no small undertaking), volunteers and sponsors help out as well, including the Delaware T2 Center, the University of Delaware, several consultants and contractors, the American Society of Highway Engineers First State Section, the Delaware Association of Professional Engineers, the Delaware Contractors Association, and the American Council of Engineering Companies.
The Delaware T2/LTAP Center provides direct technical assistance, training, and technology transfer to Delaware local agencies relative to their transportation challenges.
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