* WHO :* West Virginia University President David C. Hardesty Jr.; West Virginia Division of Highways Deputy Commissioner Norman Roush; Samir Shoukry, professor of civil and environmental engineering and mechanical and aerospace engineering; and David Martinelli, chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

WHAT: Press conference detailing a WVU -DOH project to transform the new Star City Bridge into one of the most intelligent structures in the nation

* WHEN :* 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16

WHERE: Area beside Go-Mart near the bridge. Tours of the bridge and WVU research command center will follow the conference. Wear warm clothing and sturdy shoes.

DETAILS: Dr. Shoukry and his research team have installed more than 700 sensors in the Star City Bridge, enabling the structure to send an SOS when in need of maintenance. The sensors gather data that allow Shoukry’s team to measure the performance of both the pavement and steel supports of the 1,000-foot structure. Their findings will lead to new bridge design methods aimed at increasing the life span and safety of bridges. The project’s proximity to the engineering campus also makes it a special educational tool, serving as an actual field testing laboratory for both undergraduate and graduate WVU students.