Why Are Bridges Green?

[David G]

An Oregon Story. The St. Johns Bridge might just be my all-time favorite bridge --

Bridges all across the country are painted the same shade of Statue-of-Liberty green. It's a tradition that started right here in Oregon: meet ODOT Green.

https://www.opb.org/news/article/ore...B-3krylgEeU06A

[ron ll]

Fremont in Seattle likes to be different.

[David G]

Fremont in Seattle likes to be different.

Thassa nice color. I like it better than the green. But I'd prefer most colors to the old-fashioned black or gray.

[Jim Bow]

And what color is the Golden Gate Bridge?

[hawkeye54]

^ Not green !!

[David G]

And what color is the Golden Gate Bridge?

Been years since I've seen it. Isn't painted something highly visible (safety yellow, int'. orange) for safety reasons in the fog?

[Joe (SoCal)]

Ummm

[Paul Pless]

the saint john's bridge is stunning

why do we no longer build beautiful things?

[Paul Pless]

Ummm

david centric thread
and that's okay

[Bob (oh, THAT Bob)]

OP: Yes, but it just copying an aesthetic, or is there something functional about the green paint in terms of corrosion resistance?

EDIT:

ODOT still coats old steel structures with this paint. “I’m not sure there’s a rational reason for using the color, other than that we’ve always done it that way,” Bottenberg said. “No one’s really questioned that they were green. I don’t think it’s more complicated than that.”

ODOT Green is well-suited to the Northwest: its special coating cures best in damp weather. In a place like Arizona, the paint would never dry.

But the color is noticeably absent on Oregon’s newer bridges.

“Nowadays we favor concrete bridges, because you don’t have to paint them” Bottenberg said. And when new steel bridges are constructed, they’re made out of weathering steel, which develops a protective red-rust coating and doesn’t need to be painted.

Paint, according to Bottenberg, is as much for maintenance as aesthetics. And if it’s not necessary, it’s not used.

But Bottenberg, for one, is fond of ODOT Green. “It kind of fits Oregon’s mentality.”

That part about it not drying in AZ doesn't seem to make sense unless the paint doesn't dry per se, but cures in the presence of moisture, like cyanoacrylate adhesive ("super glue").

[phiil]

Henry Ford used black paint on the Model T, not because it was cheaper, but because it dried faster.

[Breakaway]

Ummm...

64486566_10216716327794126_335141709765672960_n.jpg

Kevin

64305092_10216716328354140_3207815046503596032_n.jpg

[David G]

david centric thread
and that's okay

OK?

OK???

Should all threads be... oh nevermind... <G>

[Joe (SoCal)]

OK?

OK???

Should all threads be... oh nevermind... <G>

It's a beautiful bridge David thank you for sharing

[David G]

It's a beautiful bridge David thank you for sharing

You are too kind. I don't care what Pless sez about you <G>

[Nicholas Carey]

Did ODOT get a deal on several tankers full of surplus U.S. Forest Service green?

[sonofswen]

https://www.opb.org/news/article/ore...%20around%20it.
Why Are Bridges Green? The Story Starts In Oregon

Bridges all across the country are painted the same shade of Statue-of-Liberty green. It's a tradition that started right here in Oregon: meet ODOT Green.

He was inspired by the hills and evergreens that surrounded Portland and wanted the bridge to match. The suspension-style that he ultimately chose included soaring Gothic arches topped with copper spires, which were intended to complement the “evergreen spires” on the trees around it.

[WX]

We recently painted ours green.
20201127_141903.jpg

[JayInOz]

The few little old bridges that are left around here are white. The new ones are concrete- aesthetically pleasing wasn't part of the brief.