This paper comprehensively examines the evolution of steel truss bridge gusset plate design, strength, and buckling behavior, with a focus on the lessons learned from the I-35W Bridge collapse in 2007. It reviews existing codes such as AASHTO, AISC 360, CSA S6-19, and Eurocode 3 each offering its unique perspective on design specifications like shear resistance, compressive resistance, and tensile resistance. This study also embraces recent scholarly contributions, including innovative approaches and strength formulas proposed by recent studies, which challenge and enrich the conventional design paradigms. By comparing these diverse methodologies, the paper aims to foster a deeper understanding of gusset plate design within the structural engineering community. It seeks to contribute to the ongoing conversation on improving the safety, reliability, and efficiency of gusset plate designs in steel truss bridges by learning from past failures and integrating innovative research findings. Moreover, the paper identifies significant variations in the application of design codes and suggests a need for a more universally accepted design methodology, especially concerning compression and tensile capacities of gusset plates. The goal is to encourage further research in this area, aiming to refine and enhance the design strategies for gusset plates, ensuring they meet the demands of modern infrastructure challenges.