The first tubular wrought iron plate girder bridge was built in 1846-47 by James Millholland for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.

[2] Plate girder bridges are suitable for short to medium spans and may support railroads, highways, or other traffic.

Additional beams may connect the main girders, for example in the form of bridge known as ladder-deck construction.

As cross-bracing cannot normally be added, vertical stiffeners on the girders are normally used to prevent buckling (technically described as 'U-frame behaviour'[5]).

Concrete is commonly used for low piers, while steel trestle work may be used for high bridges.