September 11, 2000 Columbus, OH -- Ohio was one of the first states to metalize a bridge on-site. That was June of 1985. Recent photos of the bridges metalized in the mid-1980's indicate that the metalized coatings are in excellent condition with no apparent change since they were photographed in 1998.

It is fascinating to re-read two magazine articles written in 1986 and 1988 about these early metalizing projects in Ohio. The two articles are “Ohio DOT undertakes spray metalizing tests”, Roads & Bridges Magazine, August 1986, and “Zinc metalizing: cure for corrosion”, Penton Publishing, 1988.

Each article gives an overview of the metalizing process and specifics on one of the two metalizing projects. The 1988 story opens by describing the Ohio bridge maintenance painting program as painting 300-350 bridges per year and “… the department admits that field-applied protective coatings of paint last 5 to 8 years”. The cost for bridge painting at that time was about $2.00 per square foot.

In his summary, the author asked the question: “Worth it? That’s the question from the ODOT officials – is the price tag attached to zinc metalizing, about double that of painting, recovered by the extended life of the coating? Numerous studies, most performed in Europe, say yes.” This article closes by quoting the then Ohio District 6 Operations Engineer Mr. Earl Nichols, “I wish I could metalize all of my bridges.” He was right. Fifteen years later these metalized coatings are intact while nearby bridges painted during the mid-1980's and since are now rusting.

NOTE: Due to equipment improvements and other factors, the selling price of metalizing today is much more competitive with painting than it was in 1988. For more information on the cost to metalize, see that section of this website.