The Gaysport Bridge in southern Muskingum County has had four bridges at this location: the first bridge was a wooden covered structure erected in 1887 which lasted one year. The second bridge was a steel bridge which was built in 1899 and lasted until the 1913 flood. The third bridge which spanned the river from 1914 to 1971 was a through truss bridge. The fourth bridge was a steel bridge built in 1971 and lasted until 2021, the last number of years it was reduced to a one-lane bridge. The fifth bridge was just built and opened in November of this year, with key players: ODOT, Shelly and Sands and the fabricator Wabash Steel Company making this bridge become a reality.

The historic sandstone piers have been kept and have been incorporated into the new structure. As part of the federal funding the county had to keep the sandstone piers, which have been encased in concrete to strengthen the foundation for the new bridge. ADR and Associates (Civil Engineering Company based in Newark, Ohio) recommended hot-dip galvanizing for the bridge over weathering steel and paint based on corrosion protection and life-cycle costs, with up to 100 years protection with little or no maintenance for the steel material.

The fabricator Wabash Steel worked closely with two galvanizing plants (because of kettle size) to meet a very demanding schedule regarding the Gaysport Bridge ODOT project. The plate girders etc. were galvanized in February, March and April with the first phase delivering in May and the second phase delivering in early September. A value-added project, constant communication with Wabash Steel made this project a success. Their team members visited both plants to inspect the galvanized girders prior to the ODOT inspection and then delivery to the job site.

The coating durability, corrosion performance, life-cycle cost and sustainability will help protect the steel for up to 100 years.