Systra buys IBT in effort to reach top-10 of bridge engineering firms

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Updated Sep 11, 2017
Systra is part of a consortium to design and build the Chacao Bridge (rendering above) in Chile, which will be the longest suspension bridge in South America.Systra is part of a consortium to design and build the Chacao Bridge (rendering above) in Chile, which will be the longest suspension bridge in South America.

Global mass transit engineering and design firm Systra has acquired San Diego-based International Bridge Technologies in its quest to become a top-10 international bridge specialists, the company says.

Before the acquisition, Systra was ranked 14th in the world in bridge engineering. Buying IBT will give Systra bridge design centers in the United States, Canada and Dubai. It currently has centers in France, Korea and India.

Systra has operated in North America for 30 years through its subsidiaries Systra Consulting and Canarail. The IBT acquisition will allow it to expand its reach in the continent, the company says.

Systra’s bridge projects include Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad A-Sabah Causeway in Kuwait, one of the largest maritime causeways in the world, and the Chacao Suspension Bridge in Chile, which will be the longest suspension bridge in South America and a world record for two-span suspension bridges.

IBT specializes in segmental and cable-stayed bridges. It will now be called Systra IBT.

Terms of the acquisition were not revealed.