Fusion-bonded epoxy coated steel reinforcing bar (ECR) is an established solution for enhancing the durability of reinforced concrete structures in highly corrosive environments. However, coating disbandment problems found in the Florida Keys bridges and by the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO), after less than 10 years of field service, have Iead to considerahlc debate over the long-term effectiveness of the technology. The importance of coating defects to the performance of ECR is well established. If there are no defects, coating adhesion is not relevant and [he corrosion protection barrier is effective. Unfortunately, in the real world, there will be defects in placed ECR. The coating’s resistance to disboodment from these defects is where the performance of ECR can be improved. This paper addresses several ways to improve the long-term adhesion of epoxy coating to steel reinforcing bars. These include: alternative application methods, chemical pretreatment of the blasted steel surface prior to coating application, and the essential need of Ii strong quality assurance program for coating application plants. Keywords: adhesion, coatings, concrete, corrosion, epoxy, pretreatment, rebar