Industry

Bridges & DOT Infrastructure

PA has 25,000+ bridges (most structurally deficient in the US). NJ has 6,800+. NY has 17,000+. DOT-specified coating removal and surface prep by laser. SSPC SP-5/SP-10 profiles without containment.

The Challenge

Bridge maintenance coating removal is dominated by abrasive blasting, which requires full SSPC Guide No. 6 containment on any structure with lead-bearing coatings (virtually every bridge painted before 1978). Containment on a bridge structure adds $2-$5 per square foot of surface area before any blasting begins. Scaffold, tarp, negative-pressure exhaust, and decontamination facilities must be installed over active traffic or waterways.

The spent blast media absorbs lead and chromium from the old coatings. TCLP testing classifies this waste as hazardous at $1,000+ per ton for disposal. The Westinghouse Electric Corporation estimated 800 tons of contaminated grit for one medium-sized bridge blast, representing hundreds of thousands in disposal cost.

Laser cleaning eliminates containment, eliminates blast media, and eliminates hazardous waste. The vaporized coating is captured by HEPA filtration. DOT inspectors verify SSPC SP-10 / SP-5 cleanliness on the laser-cleaned surface. The next coating crew mobilizes immediately.

Applications

USE CASE 01

Structural Steel Coating Removal

Strip lead-bearing and non-lead coatings from beams, girders, bearings, and connections. Achieve SSPC SP-5 (White Metal) or SP-10 (Near-White) cleanliness. No containment. No blast media. No hazardous waste.

USE CASE 02

Bearing and Expansion Joint Cleaning

Clean bearing plates, rockers, sliding surfaces, and expansion joints in-place. Remove rust, old grease, and failed coatings. Prepare for recoating or replacement without scaffold-mounted blast equipment.

USE CASE 03

Concrete and Masonry Prep

Remove chloride-contaminated concrete surface layers, old sealers, and coatings from bridge decks, abutments, and piers. Prepare for overlay, sealer, or cathodic protection installation.

PA bridges

0 K+

NJ bridges

0 +

NY bridges

0 K+

Containment cost

$ 0

Frequently Asked Questions

Does laser cleaning meet DOT coating removal specifications?

Yes. Laser cleaning achieves SSPC SP-5 (White Metal Blast Cleaning) and SP-10 (Near-White Blast Cleaning) cleanliness levels as verified by visual reference standards and surface profile measurement. The laser-cleaned surface meets the same acceptance criteria as abrasive-blasted surfaces.

What about lead paint on old bridges?

We are EPA RRP Lead-Safe Certified. Laser cleaning vaporizes lead-bearing coatings and captures the residue in HEPA filtration. No Class 1A containment. No hazardous blast media disposal. No TCLP testing of spent abrasive. Compliance documentation provided for DOT and environmental review.

Industrial

Infrastructure

Transport

Restoration

Property & Defense

New Jersey

New York

Pennsylvania