Research Article Transportation Research Record 1–16 Ó National Academy of Sciences: Transportation Research Board 2021 Article reuse guidelines: sagepub.com/journals-permissions DOI: 10.1177/03611981211062154 journals.sagepub.com/home/trr Value-Engineering Methodology for the Selection of an Optimal Bridge System Ahmad A. Mousa 1 , Mohab Hussein 2 , and Ahmed Farouk Kineber 3 Abstract Maintaining and enhancing the functionality of the infrastructure at an affordable cost are major challenges for decision mak- ers, particularly given the need to cope with growing societal and transportation demands. This study introduces a systematic multi-criteriavalue engineering (VE) approach for the selection of a sustainable bridge system. A thorough VE analysis for a proposed long-span bridge in New Jersey, USAwas carried out as a pilot study. The function analysis system technique was used to develop logical relationships between the project’s functions. A detailed 100-year life-cycle cost analysis (LCCA) was conducted. The study developed and evaluated eight alternative designs for deck and superstructure systems against set VE criteria comprising constructability, maintenance strategies, and environmental impact. A relative value index was used as an unbiased measure for the selection of the optimal structural system. With total savings of approximately 21% of the original design ($132.5million), steel plate girders with a high-performance lightweight steel grid deck system have proven to ‘‘outva- lue’’ the other alternatives, including the preferred preliminary alternative (PPA). Design engineers and decision makers can use this methodology as a systematic and convenient guide for the selection of economical and sustainable bridge systems. As such, it is necessary to re-evaluate the current practices and policies used for this purpose. Keywords cost–benefit analysis, bridge and structures management, economic impacts, infrastructure, infrastructure management and system preservation, life-cycle cost analysis, sustainability and resilience, transportation and economic development, transpor- tation and sustainability Maintaining the functionality of bridges is vital for an efficient transportation system and for public safety. In 2019, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) reported that 46,163 bridges, with a total built area exceeding 231 million ft 2 , were structurally deficient. The condition of most of them is very poor to the point that they require replacement (1). The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) suggests that nearly $4.6trillion is needed by 2025 for this purpose (2). In the past three decades, substantial implementation of value engineering (VE) has been embraced in con- struction and engineering applications to promote value (3, 4). VE is a systematic planning process that has been proven to enhance the quality of projects and optimize their full value for societal growth through developing informed decision making. In 2019, approximately 800 approved VE transportation-related recommendations for federal infrastructure projects were reported. These recommendations collectively resulted in cost savings of approximately 10% ($3.1 billion) of the $32billion total worth of the studied projects (5). However, bridge proj- ects are lagging behind buildings and infrastructure in using VE as a rigorous decision-making tool. Federal regulations require VE studies to be performed for proj- ects under the national highway system (NHS) with an estimated cost of $50million and bridge projects exceed- ing $40 million (5). This mandate is created to motivate state departments of transportation (DOT) to apply VE practices to their projects and, thus, achieve the best 1 School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, Darul Ehsan, Malaysia 2 Division of Bridge Engineering and Infrastructure Management, New Jersey Department of Transportation, Trenton, NJ 3 Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University Technology Petronas, Seri Iskandar, Malaysia Corresponding Author: Ahmad A Mousa, ahmad.mousa@monash.edu