The first bridge committee in the Highway Research Board was organized in 1949 in the Department of Highway Design. Today, 11 Transportation Research Board (TRB) committees deal with bridges and related structures. Historical development of the organization of bridge committees is described first. Discussion of their accomplishments follows under the headings of annual meetings, publications, research, conferences, and management workshops. It is concluded that TRB bridge committees serve today as the principal catalyst for bridge research in the United States.