The Thurston Avenue Bridge is located on the campus of Ivy League school Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. The renowned school, visited from scholars around the world, is highly visible to the public. The bridge sits atop a treacherous gorge, and is passed over daily by students, and up to approximately 8500 vehicles, 950 pedestrians, and 60 bicycles per day. 

With the bridges appearance of utmost importance, the decision was made to apply hot-dip galvanizing to the steel rails atop the bridge and finish the top coat with a powder coated duplex system. After completing a cost analysis that revealed utilizing hot-dip galvanizing (HDG) was equal or less expensive than a three-part paint system, HDG was an easy choice for the specifier. In addition to having great durability, hot-dip galvanizing was the perfect choice to maintain the look and feel of the design, as well as to protect the bridge from corrosive road salts used in the winter. With the quick turnaround time and quality of the duplex powder coat; the bridge will enjoy years of corrosion protection and serve as an example of how hot-dip galvanizing and the duplex system compliment each other to provide superior long-lasting maintenance free life.