Integral　abutment　bridges　[IAB]　represent　a　structural　alternative　solution　better　than　conventional　solutions　for　bridges　with　clear　length　less　than　60　meters.　The　benefits　of　this　typology,　compared　to　simply　supported　bridges　(＇conventional　bridge＇　used　in　this　paper)　are:　reduction　of　inspection　and　maintenance　due　to　the　absence　of　expansion　joints　and　bearings;　reduction　of　risk　of　failure　under　seismic　loads　and　an　improvement　in　terms　of　flood　water　management.　The　aim　of　this　work　is　to　evaluate　the　benefits　of　retrofit　on　an　existing　common　bridge,　converting　it　into　an　integral　abutment　bridge.　Due　to　this　procedure,　an　increase　of　sustainability　of　the　bridge　will　be　reached.　Some　evaluations,　about　previous　works,　in　the　matter　of　assess　of　sustainability　in　civil　constructions　are　used,　to　compare　the　advantages　of　retrofit　on　a　simply　supported　bridge,　changing　it　into　an　integral　abutment　bridge.　A　practical　example　is　provided.　©　2016　Taylor　&　Francis　Group,　London.