Omaha Convention Center - Arena… | American Galvanizers Association

This highly visible pedestrian bridge links the new convention center and hotel facilities in downtown Omaha with the new riverfront development surrounding the Lewis & Clark Park on the Missouri River. The handrail, overhead rail, fasteners, welded wire mesh, anchor bolts, and base plates are all hot-dip galvanized, reflecting the sunlight of day and the architectural lighting at night, providing a wonderful aesthetic quality to the area.

Having previous experience with hot-dip galvanized steel for grandstand structures, railing for stadiums/ball parks, and parking structures, the owner determined that a hot-dip galvanized coating would provide the desired clean appearance without inherent future maintenance costs. Zinc's terrific corrosion protection in this moderately industrial environment--caused by the rail line that runs below the pedestrian bridge--was also a major factor favoring hot-dip galvanizing. Unique to the project was the consensus that if strategic splice points on the bridge were selected, large assembled sections could be progressively galvanized and, thus, field welds and the associated touch-up with zinc-rich paint could be minimized. Special handling by the galvanizer ensured site delivery of quality assembly sections, and an aesthetically superior coating.