Metropolitan Steel, Inc.

10/20/2026

Check out our president, Tim Caballero's interview on the Build to Run podcast. Learn more about a leadership challenge he faced at a critical time for the company and how it ultimately led to the ultimate success of .

Short on payroll. The bank said no. Metropolitan Steel, Inc. was months away from closing.

That was Tim Caballero in 2008. Today it’s one of the largest steel erectors in Chicago, and he’s checked a financial dashboard every Monday since.

Episode 4 of Build To Run is live. Tim tells me how he got out of the hole, and what he’d tell a $5 million contractor who doesn’t have a controller yet. 🏗️

Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and other major platforms. Link in the comments. Andiamo.

09/22/2026

The best leaders build projects AND people.

It's easy to measure success in tons of steel, milestones hit, and projects delivered. But the real measure is the people who grow along the way. The apprentice who becomes a foreman. The crew member who starts mentoring the next one.

We're proud to be part of a team that invests in people, not just projects.

09/18/2026

Progress is taking shape on the Chicago Avenue Bridge over the Chicago River.

Metropolitan Steel is currently setting the floor beams on temporary shoring for the Chicago Ave Arch Bridge. This work establishes the structural foundation needed for the next major phases of construction, allowing F.H. Paschen to install forms, complete post‑tensioning, and pour the concrete deck before the arch sections and cables are set.

We’re proud to contribute to this Chicago Department of Transportation project.

A project of this scale takes a full team effort. Thank you to Central Crane for providing the crane equipment and skilled operators who help bring this work to life, and to Local 1 for the best Iron Workers in the country making it happen in the field. We’re also grateful for our Metropolitan Steel office team whose planning, coordination, and preparation make safe, efficient ex*****on possible.

Drone photo credit: Ciorba

09/04/2026

As we head into Labor Day weekend, we want to recognize the ironworkers, tradespeople, and everyone across the construction industry who keep our communities standing. Your skill, grit, and commitment show up in every beam, every bolt, and every project that moves our cities forward.

Thank you for the long days, the early mornings, the precision, and the pride you bring to the craft. We hope this weekend gives you the rest you’ve earned and the time to enjoy the people and places you work so hard to support.

We're eternally grateful for all you do. Enjoy the break. You deserve it.

09/03/2026

Metropolitan Steel is proud to contribute to the Foster Avenue Bridge rebuild — a major upgrade to support a wider I‑90 corridor. This phase includes 86,000 lbs of reinforcement steel and 230 H‑Piles, with our crews and project partners pushing steady progress toward the new December 31, 2026 completion target.

Recent work on the center pier above I‑90 and the rail lines marks a key milestone for the team, helping move this 1958 structure into its modern redesign with improved clearance, better ramp geometry, and upgraded drainage along the expressway.

💪 Metropolitan Steel — building stronger infrastructure together.

09/02/2026

In August, we celebrated a milestone that speaks to the heart of who we are as a company. Ed Smith marked 22 years with Metropolitan Steel, making him our longest‑tenured team member outside of the founder, and a cornerstone of our success.

Ed came into the industry working alongside his father‑in‑law at a steel fabricator, building the kind of hands‑on experience you can’t teach. When he joined Metro, he brought that grit, curiosity, and work ethic with him. Over the past two decades, as our lead building estimator, he’s set the standard for excellence. His accuracy, his judgment, and his ability to see a project from every angle make him one of the best in the business.

But what we value most is who he is. Ed is loyal. He’s direct. He’s steady. He tells you the truth, even when it’s the hard truth, and that’s exactly why people trust him. His wisdom extends far beyond erecting steel; he’s the guy you go to when you need perspective on work, life, or anything in between.

Congratulations on 22 years, Ed.
Your impact is woven into the fabric of Metropolitan Steel, and we’re grateful for every year you’ve given us.

08/21/2026

When you have a company built on steel, you learn quickly that the real foundation is the crew behind the welds. This image says it all. Our team’s precision and dedication are what make Metropolitan Steel the trusted name in bridges, metal decking, and structural steel in Chicagoland. Learn more about what sets us apart at metropolitan-steel.com

08/13/2026

Teamwork is the force behind every milestone we reach at Metropolitan Steel. When our crews bring their skill, communication, and commitment to the job, the results speak for themselves.

That shared effort is what keeps our projects moving forward and our standards high.

08/11/2026

Here's a closer look at the barge operations supporting the Lake Street Bridge project. Before any steel is lifted into place, every component is staged, aligned, and verified on our construction site on the Chicago River - all the way Southwest to I-55 and Damen. This floating workspace is where our team ensures accuracy, safety, and readiness long before installation begins. We're proud to contribute to the infrastructure that keeps Chicago moving.

07/31/2026

We're taking a look back to 2020 and one of our biggest lifts in recent years: Amazon’s 3.5M sq. ft. AR Sort Fulfillment Center in Markham, IL. Metropolitan Steel erected 6,500+ tons of structural steel to build the five‑story frame that powers one of the region’s largest automated distribution hubs.

With tight tolerances, aggressive sequencing, hundreds of crane picks, and just‑in‑time deliveries, our crews kept the jobsite moving with minimal laydown and zero impact on neighboring operations. Even on a fast‑track schedule, we finished steel er****on ahead of plan, clearing the way for Amazon’s robotics and conveyor systems.

This was a major milestone and a proud moment for our team. 💪🏼