17/8/2020 01-11 Weathering Steel Bridges & Bridge Painting

Travel Updates Related to COVID-19 - Alerts | For Updates on the Roosevelt Bridge visit fdot.gov/roosevelt

Florida Department of
TRANSPORTATION E-Updates | FL511 | Site Map | Translate

Search FDOT...
Safety, Innovation, Mobility, Attract, Retain & Train

Home About FDOT Careers Contact Us Maps & Data Offices Performance Projects

Office of Design

Office of Design / 01-11 Weathering Steel Bridges & Bridge Painting

01-11 Weathering Steel Bridges & Bridge Painting

Issue

FDOT spends $25-$30 million each year repainting existing bridges in addition to the initial painting costs associated with new
steel bridges. The use of weathering steel can eliminate the initial and maintenance costs of painting structures with no
reduction in service life when there are no valid reasons for not allowing weathering steel. The use of weathering steel should be
consistently evaluated as primary choice for structural steel girders unless there are environmental conditions or overriding
aesthetic considerations. A more consistent approach in evaluating when steel bridges should be painted will save money,
reduce inconveniences and delays to the traveling public, reduce a hazardous work condition and eliminate environmental
monitoring and hazardous waste disposal.

Recommendation

Use weathering steel for new steel bridges in suitable environments. Use a single coat of inorganic zinc paint system for
extremely aggressive environments. Where higher aesthetics are required, use a 3 coat inorganic zinc paint system with clear
coat finish. The use of the 3 coat system with clear coat finish should be an exception, requiring justification and approval from
the Chief Engineer. For multi girder bridges where the use of higher level aesthetics has been approved:
Use a 3 coat inorganic zinc paint system with clear coat finish on fascia girders. Depending upon environment, use
weathering steel or a 1 coat inorganic zinc paint system on interior girders.
For box girder bridges where the use of higher level aesthetics has been approved, use a 3 coat inorganic zinc paint
system with clear coat finish.

Guidance on the justification for painting and approval from the Chief Engineer for higher aesthetic considerations was
developed in Structures Design Bulletin C12-02/Roadway Design Bulletin 12-04 which can be accessed here. Subsequently, this
recommendation has been further clarified with Structures Design Bulletin 12-08 which can be accessed here. For questions on
the suitability and use of weathering steel, contact Robert Robertson, State Structures Engineer at (850)414-4267. For question
on structural steel painting and paint systems, contact Jeff Pouliotte, State Structures Maintenance Engineer at (850)410-5691.

Contact Us Employment MyFlorida.com Performance Statement of Agency Web Policies & Notices

Florida Department of Transportation

Safety, Innovation, Mobility, Attract, Retain & Train
© 1996 - 2019 Florida Department of Transportation

https://www.fdot.gov/design/cpr/weatheringsteelbridges.shtm 1/1