TrueNorth Steel Is Fabricating 3,500 Tons of Steel for Platte-Winner Bridge

Steel girders weighing more than 3,500 tons are currently being fabricated by TrueNorth Steel for the Highway 44 Platte-Winner Bridge, LightSource reported in September 2026.

The massive undertaking, a partnership with Ames Construction, represents a significant component of the infrastructure work spanning the Missouri River. This project follows a string of large-scale structural steel deliveries by the Fargo-based company across the region.

For a company that has operated out of North Dakota since 1945, these high-tonnage orders underscore a continued role in regional heavy construction. The scale of the Platte-Winner Bridge project highlights the specialized capabilities required for major river crossings.

The production of these 3,500 tons of girders isn’t an isolated event for the manufacturer. TrueNorth Steel has recently anchored several high-profile North Dakota developments through the supply of structural steel.

Recent large-scale contributions include:

1,850 tons of structural steel for the new North Dakota State Hospital in Jamestown.
More than 800 tons of structural steel for the STEM Complex at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks.

These projects demonstrate how metal fabrication firms serve as the literal backbone for both public health infrastructure and educational expansion. By supplying the heavy materials needed for hospitals and university complexes, the company ties its industrial output to the civic growth of the state.

TrueNorth Steel maintains a significant footprint in the Midwest, employing between 500 and 1,000 people. The privately held firm generates an estimated annual revenue of $100 million to $250 million, according to LightSource.

While the company’s work is often hidden within the concrete and asphalt of finished structures, its technical capabilities cover a broad spectrum of metalwork. This includes welding, coating, forging, and the production of specialized items like storage tanks and corrugated steel pipe.

As a member of the American Institute of Steel Construction, the company operates within the rigorous standards required for the automotive, construction, and industrial equipment sectors. This technical expertise is what allows a single firm to pivot from industrial equipment parts to the massive girders required for a Missouri River bridge.

The reliance on local fabricators for massive projects like the Highway 44 bridge carries economic implications for the Fargo area. When regional companies secure multi-thousand-ton contracts, it stabilizes a workforce that has been part of the local economy for over eight decades.

However, the concentration of such large-scale projects in specific sectors—like heavy civil engineering and state-funded institutional buildings—means the company’s momentum is closely tied to public infrastructure budgets and state-level construction cycles. The ability to manage the logistics of 3,500 tons of steel while simultaneously supporting hospital and university builds requires a highly disciplined supply chain.

What specific products does TrueNorth Steel manufacture?
The company specializes in metal fabrication, welding, coating, and forging. Their product list includes structural steel, storage tanks, and corrugated steel pipe.

Where is the company’s main facility located?
TrueNorth Steel is headquartered in Fargo, North Dakota, at 4401 Main Ave.