Morrison Bridge in Portland, Oregon had been dealing with a number of accidents due to the 50 year old steel grating that existed in the center of the bridge.  The Morrison Bridge is the most-traveled bridge of the six county-owned bridges over the Willamette River and is used by more than 50,000 motorists a day.  Over the years this bridge became worn down and unsafe in certain environments.  Once the steel grating became wet, drivers had to slow down and use extreme caution.  Many drivers complained that even while going 15mph, the bridge was still hazardous.

Multnomah County found a light weight fiber-reinforced polymer (basically a strong plastic) product to replace the steel grating on this slippery bridge.  While this product has met with success, other non-slip metal grating options have been utilized on slippery bridges.  SlipNOT® Metal Safety Flooring manufactures non-slip products, including metal grating that has been used on bridges to keep motorists safe.  Non-slip steel grating provides high traction in harsh environments and a long service life.  Other slip resistant steel products by SlipNOT® such as road plates have been utilized for decades in high traffic areas. 

SlipNOT® has recently been installed for projects such as the Hood Canal Bridge in the State of Washington.  SlipNOT® plates were utilized on the bridge for bike lanes and motorcycles, while riveted steel grating was used for heavier traffic vehicles.  SlipNOT® coated the plate and riveted grating with the high traction surface and then had the products galvanized to prevent corrosion.

While steel grating was not the light weight option Multnomah County was looking for, SlipNOT® offers non-slip grating in aluminum as well.  Aluminum grating is an optimal choice for applications that require a light weight product because of its slip resistance, corrosion resistance and longevity.

Filed under: Steel Grating by Beth Faraci Social tagging: safety > steel grating