Sauk River Bridge Replacement

Wes Smith Bridge

This 262 ft. (80 m) bridge spans the entire width of the Skykomis River in Index, Wash. Initially specified to have another corrosion prevention system, thanks to the marketing efforts of galvanizers, the specification was changed mid-way through the project. Unfortunately, the entire bridge could not be hot-dip galvanized. The four-corner sections were too large to be dipped, so they were metallized. To redesign the corners and redo the bridge loading and stress was not economically feasible. However, all parts able to be hot-dip galvanized at that point were, including all the reinforcing steel. This area receives a considerable amount of rain, snow, wind, ice, and moisture from the Skykomis River. Snohomish County was looking for the best corrosion prevention system available to withstand all these natural elements; hot-dip galvanizing was the best system. Additionally, galvanizing was able to support these claims with decades of research and documentation.