MONTEREY PARK (CBS) — The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department will melt down 7,500 confiscated weapons into steel rebar Friday.

The weapons were confiscated from criminals on Los Angeles streets over the last year.

The weapon meltdown and the resulting rebar is part of “Project Isaiah,” named after a bible passage that talks about beating swords into plowshares. Officials say the project ensures that the weapons will never threaten the public again.

After the guns are melted down at a steel mill Friday, the rebar will be used in highway construction.