IDOT Steel Beams / Overpass beams (Chicago: construction, design, metro)

[NYEddy]

This is the definition of first-world problems, but one thing I've noticed around metro Chicago with all the highway construction and overpass bridge updates is that all the new steel beams (including some older ones) are being painted grey. Why?!

I always loved the fact that the Chicagoland overpass beams were a deep grass green color. It added a nice splash of color to otherwise drab highways and overpasses, especially in the winter months.

Who at IDOT thought it was a good idea to replace the green paint with matte gray? Ugh. Is a temporary coating perhaps?

[Avondalist]

Modern interior design sensibilities are spreading. Gray everywhere.

What I've noticed about overpass beams is that a lot of them have been painted by the same guy, because he signs them. He uses stencils to paint his name on the beams, it's a Spanish/Mexican name. Racking my brain to remember it...