Building Michigan’s Future: 2026 MDOT TRAC Bridge Challenge Showcased Student Engineering Talent

On April 14, 2026, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) hosted the annual Transportation and Civil Engineering (TRAC) Bridge Challenge in Grand Rapids. This premier STEM outreach event brought together student teams from across Michigan for a full day of applied learning, hands-on engineering, and exposure to real-world transportation and civil engineering practices.

Engineering in Action

The TRAC Bridge Challenge introduced middle and high school students to the core principles of civil and structural engineering. Teams designed, built, and tested model bridges made from balsa wood, with the goal of achieving a strong strength-to-weight ratio while meeting detailed design specifications.

For 2026, students competed in the following bridge categories:

• 7th & 8th Grades – Truss Bridge
• 9th & 10th Grades – Deck Arch Truss Bridge
• 11th & 12th Grades – Half-Through Arch Bridge

The competition incorporated real-world engineering concepts, including materials science, load distribution, structural performance, and design optimization. Students also submitted written proposals and delivered oral presentations to panels of professional engineers, reinforcing the communication, teamwork, and project management skills that are essential to engineering careers.

Students gained exposure to:

• Structural and load-bearing analysis
• Engineering design processes
• Technical writing and presentations
• Software modeling and testing
• Teamwork and project execution

Career Exploration Room: Powered by ACEC/Michigan Volunteers

One of the most impactful elements of the TRAC Bridge Challenge was the Career Exploration Room, which gave students the opportunity to interact one-on-one with professionals representing a wide range of engineering and design disciplines.

This interactive environment allowed students to ask questions, explore academic pathways, and better understand how classroom learning connects to real-world careers in Michigan’s infrastructure industry.

The Career Exploration Room was made possible through the generous support and time of engineering professionals from ACEC/Michigan member firms. These volunteers represented technical fields including:

• Structural engineering
• Geotechnical engineering
• Roadway and drainage design
• Traffic engineering and planning
• Surveying
• Environmental engineering
• Mechanical and electrical systems
• Architecture
• Construction engineering

“The TRAC Bridge Challenge exemplifies the importance of early exposure to engineering,” said Ron Brenke, Executive Director of ACEC/Michigan. “By engaging students in practical, hands-on experiences and connecting them with professionals from ACEC/Michigan firms, we are cultivating the problem-solvers and innovators who will shape Michigan’s infrastructure future.”

Michigan Students Earned National Recognition

Michigan students continued to demonstrate exceptional engineering talent beyond the state competition. At the 2026 AASHTO Bridge Challenge, held on April 13, 2026, in Savannah, Georgia, several Michigan teams earned top national honors.

Michigan teams recognized nationally included:

7th & 8th Grade Division
1st Place: Meads Mill Truss Builders – Meads Mill Middle School, Northville, MI

9th & 10th Grade Division
1st Place: Northville Span Works – Northville High School, Northville, MI

11th & 12th Grade Division
3rd Place: Triple A Construction – LISD TECH Center, Adrian, MI

These students demonstrated remarkable creativity, technical aptitude, and engineering insight—attributes that point to a strong and promising pipeline of future engineers in Michigan.

Looking Ahead

The 2026 TRAC Bridge Challenge affirmed the importance of experiential education and public-private collaboration in cultivating the next generation of engineers. With continued support from MDOT, ACEC/Michigan, educators, and committed volunteers from member firms, this event remained a cornerstone of engineering outreach and workforce development in Michigan.

For more information about the TRAC Program and opportunities to get involved, visit:
www.michigan.gov/mdot/trac