09/09/2026
Coat by Coat: The Commodore Barry Bridge
Painting a bridge is a slow process. Platforms and containment must be installed, the old paint removed, and up to five coats of paint applied in some locations.
It takes about two weeks to install tarps, blast off the old paint and finish every coat of paint. Three different paints are used, primer with zinc to prevent rust, an epoxy coat to seal out the moisture, and finally a urethane to protect the epoxy from the sun.
The three coats are sprayed along edges, corners, and other areas where spraying may not cover the surface adequately. An extra coat of primer and an extra coat of urethane are brushed or rolled on the surface.
Inspectors check each coat for completeness and thickness. Hot weather, cold weather, rainy weather, and windy weather can cause delays or even stop work.
Driving across the Commodore Barry Bridge now, you can see small, completed areas through the maze of cables and tarps. In the next few weeks, these areas will get bigger and the progress will become more obvious.
For the latest on the project, visit: https://www.drpa.org/projects/commodore-barry-bridge-rehabilitation.html
