The new bridge replaces a structure that rusted from the inside and was shut down a couple of years ago and removed because it was deemed unsafe. The new bridge is expected to last about 75 years ― or about 5 times longer than the structure it replaces, officials said. The old bridge was a new kind of product that featured self-weathering steel that was not supposed to rust like it did.

State engineers and other experts only learned that continuous water exposure meant the structure would keep rusting. Continuous water from the fountains in the river got inside the square tubes that held up the bridge, which means it rusted from the inside. The old bridge also was “whitewashed” by constant exposure to the river fountains, the old bridge was green in color but the new one will be silver, which matches the spires around the RiverScape. The silver paint should not fade in the same way. The new bridge was replaced by galvanized steel and uses beams instead of tubes.

The bridge replaces a structure that rusted from the inside and was shut down for over two years, replaced by the specified duplex system for this project due to the coating durability and corrosion performance. The duplex system has an estimated lifespan of 75 years. They wanted this bridge to stand the test of time against the moisture in the surrounding area and for the community to enjoy for many years to come without worrying about the durability of the coating system.