Lasting Protection. Limitless Design: AGA Announces the 2026 Excellence in Hot-Dip Galvanizing Award Winners

CENTENNIAL, CO - Each year, the American Galvanizers Association (AGA) recognizes the most industry's most innovative uses of hot-dip galvanizing –and 2026 raises the bar once again. Announced during the AGA's Annual Conference on April 22nd, the 2026 Excellence in Hot-Dip Galvanizing Award winners show galvanized steel pushing boundaries across infrastructure, architecture, manufacturing, and more. These projects demonstrate what’s possible when performance and creativity come together.

Leading the class of 2026 winners is the recipient of the Most Distinguished honor – the MTA Viaduct South Phase 1 project in New York, NY. As a key link for commuter rail traffic into Manhattan, the project replaces aging infrastructure while maintaining uninterrupted service in a dense urban setting. Hot-dip galvanizing was selected to deliver reliable, long-term protection against environmental exposure, helping reduce maintenance and ensure consistent performance. The result is a modernized structure that balances durability, efficiency, and a cohesive appearance within its historic surroundings. “Today’s milestone demonstrates the transformative work we can get done in New York when we invest in transit. Completing work on an elevated structure that dates back to the Gilded Age ahead of schedule and under budget shows what’s possible when we modernize our infrastructure and put riders first.” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul

While the Most Distinguished winner spotlights forward-looking infrastructure, the Lifetime Achievement award recognizes a project whose performance has already stood the test of time. The Light Chamber at the Denver Judicial Center in Denver, CO. Designed as a lasting architectural feature within a civic space, the project reflects how galvanized steel can support both durability and design over time. Built to withstand long-term environmental exposure while maintaining its visual impact, the structure demonstrates the reliability and low-maintenance benefits of hot-dip galvanizing. Years after its completion, it continues to perform as intended, standing as a testament to the enduring value of galvanizing in projects where longevity is essential. By day, the zinc patina shines like quiet armor welcoming the weary; by night uplighting turns the sculpture into a radiant beacon.

Shifting from the long-standing installation in downtown Denver to a fresh artistic expression a bit south in Colorado Springs - the Artistic winner showcases how galvanizing protects creativity as much as the steel. The Percheron Horse captures the strength and movement of its subject through a carefully crafted steel form, brought to life with both precision and durability in mind. Hot-dip galvanizing plays a critical role in preserving the sculpture’s intricate details, protecting it from environmental exposure while maintaining its visual impact over time. The result is a piece that is both structurally resilient and artistically compelling, showcasing how galvanized steel can elevate public art without compromising longevity. A 5,000‑pound draft horse forged in steel and sealed in zinc, Belle catches sun, snow, and shadow like a living thing – built to gleam now and endure for decades

Public art shows how HDG preserves bold creative vision, and that same design freedom carries into structures intended to be inviting and built to last. This year’s Building & Architecture winner highlights how HDG's durable protection supports the architecture's vision. The Tobin Montessori & Vassal Lane School reflects a thoughtful approach to creating a long-lasting educational space, where materials must perform reliably while supporting a modern architectural vision. Hot-dip galvanizing was used to protect critical structural elements, ensuring resistance to environmental exposure and reducing long-term maintenance needs. The result is a project that balances functionality, longevity, and clean design—demonstrating how galvanizing continues to support buildings designed for everyday use and lasting impact. Hot-dip galvanized steel and net-zero-ready power: this campus is built to outlast weather and outperform the code

Just down the road, crossing the Charles River, hot-dip galvanizing is featured in another high-profile project with an even more demanding environment. The galvanizing is paired with an additional coating providing elevated aesthetics as well as enhanced protection. The Duplex Systems winner, The William Felton “Bill” Russell Bridge demonstrates how utilizing hot-dip galvanizing with additional protective coating systems can significantly extend service life and provide a wide array of final appearances. Built to withstand continuous exposure while maintaining structural integrity, the project showcases how duplex systems offer both durability and long-term value. Built for people as much as vehicles, the bridge offers Boston’s first dedicated cycle tracks on a river crossing, alongside generous pedestrian walkways. The bridge carries rich history as a segment of the Freedom Trail while also serving the needs of modern infrastructure. The Bill Russell Bridge pairs bold architectural flair with relentless durability – an innovative crossing built for vehicles, bikes, and pedestrians.

The Bill Russell bridge may carry the name of an icon, but the winner of the Bridge & Highway category preserves an iconic structure. The Puente Blanco De Quebradillas stands as a key transportation link, designed to endure constant use and environmental exposure. In applications like this, material longevity is not optional—it’s essential. Hot-dip galvanizing provides a reliable solution by helping maintain structural integrity over time while minimizing maintenance demands. This project reflects how galvanizing supports infrastructure that communities depend on every day, ensuring durability without compromising efficiency. By land and sea, coastal air meets its match in hot-dip galvanized steel.

From bridge spans to the roadway systems that surround them, the Transportation category recognizes solutions that help keep networks safer and more efficient. The Barrie Smogstop Barrier Project demonstrates how protective infrastructure plays a critical role in both safety and environmental performance. Designed to withstand continuous exposure to traffic and outdoor conditions, the system required a durable solution that could perform reliably over time. Hot-dip galvanizing ensures long-term resilience with minimal maintenance, making it well-suited for high-demand transportation environments. This project reflects how galvanizing contributes to infrastructure that is both functional and built to last. SmogStop provides sunlight-powered air cleaning sustained by hot-dip galvanized steel posts.

Moving beyond domestic projects, the International category highlights the global reach of hot-dip galvanizing across diverse climates and construction demands. The IGC Philippines – INEOS Project One exemplifies large-scale industrial development where consistency, durability, and performance are critical across every component. Projects of this scale require materials that can withstand varied environmental conditions while maintaining long-term reliability. Hot-dip galvanizing plays a key role in delivering that performance, helping ensure structural longevity with reduced maintenance. This project underscores how galvanizing continues to support complex infrastructure efforts around the world. IGCP’s performance and quality exceeded expectations of AG&P and INEOS. - Franceso San Filippo, Ineos

Building on the scale and complexity seen in the International winner, the Industrial category highlights systems designed for performance and efficiency. The Modular Assembly Support Towers (MASTs) reflect this approach through their prefabricated design and structural precision. Developed for demanding operational environments, the project required a solution that could support long-term reliability while streamlining installation. Hot-dip galvanizing provides that durability, helping ensure consistent performance with reduced maintenance over time. This project demonstrates how galvanizing supports modern industrial systems built for both efficiency and longevity. The team is proud to support a stronger national defense – these HDG reconfigurable platforms help the DOD prepare for what’s next.

Also recognized for industrial excellence, the Sand Island Wastewater Treatment Plant represents essential infrastructure where durability directly impacts daily operations. Facilities like this operate in challenging environments that require materials capable of maintaining performance over the long term. Hot-dip galvanizing offers a dependable solution, protecting structural components while minimizing upkeep. This project highlights how galvanizing contributes to infrastructure that supports critical public services with reliability and resilience. A wastewater treatment facility and Honolulu’s coastal climate each pose serious corrosion challenges—but together they demand one proven solution: hot-dip galvanizing.

Extending from industrial systems into energy infrastructure, the Electric, Utility & Communications category highlights projects that support the growing demand for reliable power and connectivity. Jackson Solar reflects this shift toward renewable energy, where durability and long-term performance are essential. Solar installations are exposed to constant environmental conditions, requiring materials that can maintain structural integrity over time. Hot-dip galvanizing provides a dependable solution, helping ensure the system remains resilient with minimal maintenance. This project demonstrates how galvanizing supports the evolving energy landscape through reliable and lasting infrastructure. Solar energy doesn’t just power communities – it empowers them on the backbone of HDG.

Where energy systems face sun and wind, Water & Marine structures contend with constant moisture, spray, and corrosion pressure making durability critical. The New York Driftshield Project demonstrates how structural components designed for waterfront or marine use must withstand continuous environmental stress. In applications like this, long-term performance is essential to maintain functionality and safety. Hot-dip galvanizing provides a reliable solution, helping protect the structure while reducing maintenance over time. This project reflects how galvanizing supports infrastructure built for challenging water-based environments. In one of America’s busiest harbors, the Drift Shield catches hazardous debris powered by hot-dip galvanizing’s durability.

Also recognized in the Water & Marine category, the Sept-Îles Pier Defenders project showcases protective systems designed to safeguard marine infrastructure. Constant interaction with water, impact, and environmental exposure requires materials that can perform consistently over time. Hot-dip galvanizing ensures durability and resilience, helping extend the service life of critical components. This project highlights how galvanizing contributes to infrastructure that supports coastal and marine operations with long-term reliability. In Northern Québec, longevity is sustainability and hot-dip galvanizing delivers both.

Offshore drilling presents another immensely harsh environment. The Original Equipment Manufacturing (OEM) winner highlights components engineered for performance and reliability. The Impact Attenuating Media Weldment Assembly exemplifies this focus, designed to perform under demanding conditions where consistency is critical. Applications like this require materials that can maintain integrity while supporting repeated use and structural demands. Hot-dip galvanizing provides a durable solution, helping ensure long-term performance with minimal maintenance. This project demonstrates how galvanizing supports high-quality manufacturing at the component level, where precision and durability are essential. Offshore is unforgiving but hot-dip galvanizing is unrelenting.

From offshore drilling components to food production facilities, the settings change but the demand for reliable corrosion protection remains the same. The Food & Agriculture category highlights infrastructure that supports essential supply chains. The Sucro Sugar Refinery demonstrates how durability remains critical even in controlled processing environments. Facilities like this require materials that can withstand continuous use while maintaining structural reliability over time. Hot-dip galvanizing provides a dependable solution, helping protect key components and reduce long-term maintenance needs. This project reflects how galvanizing supports efficient and resilient operations within the food and agriculture sector. With more than one million tons of annual production and a $135 million investment at stake, corrosion couldn’t be treated as a footnote. It had to be solved.

The Recreation & Entertainment category highlights projects designed not just for performance, but for experience. The Pine Mountain Ski Jump Elevator supports a unique recreational environment where safety, reliability, and user interaction all come together. Exposed to outdoor conditions and frequent use, the structure requires materials that can maintain their integrity over time. Hot-dip galvanizing provides a durable solution, helping ensure long-term performance while minimizing maintenance. This project reflects how galvanizing contributes to spaces that bring people together—demonstrating its value not only in infrastructure, but in everyday experiences. Pine Mountain now stands World Cup ready thanks to the world-class protection of hot-dip galvanized steel.

Extending beyond traditional construction, the Civic Contribution category recognizes projects that serve a deeper public purpose. The First Responders Plaza Light Globes stand as a meaningful tribute, honoring those who serve their communities with dedication and courage. Designed as both a visual centerpiece and a symbolic installation, the project required materials that could withstand long-term outdoor exposure while maintaining their integrity and appearance. Hot-dip galvanizing provided the durability needed to preserve the structure over time, ensuring the tribute remains a lasting presence. This project highlights how galvanizing plays a role not just in performance but in supporting spaces that carry cultural and emotional significance. These globes honor the heroism that runs toward danger – and hot-dip galvanizing answers in kind guarding the monuments for decades.

Together, the 2026 Excellence in Hot-Dip Galvanizing Award winners illustrate the breadth and versatility of galvanized steel across industries and environments. From large-scale infrastructure and industrial systems to architectural, artistic, and community-focused projects, each winner demonstrates how durability, performance, and long-term value remain central to modern construction and design. These projects not only reflect the evolving demands of the built environment, but also reinforce the role of hot-dip galvanizing as a reliable solution for structures designed to stand the test of time.

Complete List of Winners, by Category: