Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 561
Likes: 9
From: St. Louis, MO
Bikes: Roark, Waterford 1100, 1987 Schwinn Paramount, Nishiki Professional, Bottecchia, 2 Scattantes, 3 Cannondale touring bikes, mtn. bike, cyclocross, hybrid, 1940's era Schwinn
Steel is a strong enough metal that I suppose an engineer could design a frame with enough strength/stiffness in the right places that it wouldn't need bridges. I don't know if that's the case with the OP's frame, or how heavy it would be, but I can't help but think steel is strong enough that it could be done.