This new arched bridge that serves as a gateway to Mesquite, Nevada is one of a kind along the I-15 interstate stretching from California in the south, to Montana in the north. The bridge is approximately the halfway point from Los Angeles and Salt Lake City. To give the unique bridge an even more aesthetic appeal, the roadway was adorned with wildlife art commonly found in the Nevada desert. Jackrabbits, Red-tailed hawks and Long-tailed brush lizards were fabricated from steel and strategically placed atop the overpass and support walls on each side.

To protect these steel creatures, each were hot-dip galvanized then treated with a patina finish to blend with the colors of the surrounding desert area. Hot-dip galvanizing was the first choice to provide corrosion protection for this artwork. The designers knew it would provide a clean and robust protective coating for a long lasting finish. Also, galvanizing was the only coating that could provide needed protection around the cut edges and silhouette of the animals. Careful attention was made during the processing of the hot-dip galvanizing to ensure the resulting coating and surfaces were smooth.

Due to their large size, the 9 foot tall lizard bodies had to be progressively galvanized and the tails for the lizards were removed to be galvanized separately and later attached. Lastly, a patina finish was applied in the field over the hot-dip galvanized coating to provide a brown rustic look to blend in well with the desert backdrop. This new roadway was desperately needed for the area as it now serves a vital artery for businesses and residents. The attractive steel artwork compliments the bridge beautifully and the community can count on them standing the test of time with the unsurpassed protection of hot dip galvanizing.