It’s a big business — vital for roadway construction and the safety of motorists. But chances are you don’t know much about what’s called mechanically stabilized earth (MSE).
MSE companies reinforce the soil around bridges and overpasses with engineered and aesthetically pleasing retaining walls — some of which will act as the canvasses for the art murals and gateway signs for several I-35 communities.
As the inventor of this technology and the largest MSE business in the world, The Reinforced Earth Company (RECo), is working on retaining walls for several of the I-35 projects in the Waco District. Additionally, this design, engineering and supply firm also employs about 150 Central Texans at its plant in China Springs, contributing to the local economy, and where RECo is quickly becoming known for its pro-employee philosophy.
“All of the retaining walls we make for transportation projects become the pretty face of what’s usually an ugly earthwork,” states Plant Manager Buddy Beaird. “Casting the concrete panels used for the projects is hard work.” Two kinds of retaining walls are being built for the I-35 construction: panels along the mainlanes are molded to resemble cut limestone, while access roads at overpasses in some communities will have specially designed panels that assemble to form an art design.
Once constructed, that hard work will be seen by thousands of I-35 motorists each day as they drive by the mainlane walls and the access-road artistic murals planned for several communities.
RECo actively sought the artwork projects, believing in their value for the towns that had the right conditions and chose to utilize them.
“It’s been a great pleasure working with TxDOT Graphic Artist Mike Ford [now retired], who had a unique vision,” says RECo Vice President Tom Schick. “We are happy to know that we are part of making his dreams come true. Retaining walls are big business, but add the artistic elements, and it adds a whole new dimension to what we do.”
Expected to last for decades, the retaining walls murals have and will become a treasured feature along I-35, especially for RECo employees, who represent another aspect of the benefits the company brings to the area.
“We hired many of our workers through local staffing agencies,” says Beaird. “Many of them have personal struggles and would not be considered for hire by some employers. But each of our workers has something special to offer, and we treat them with respect.”
As a result, Beaird says it’s been rewarding to see many of them do well and turn their lives around.
“Keep in mind, our primary goal is to hire people who want to work. But when our employees’ lives are better for working here, it’s a very positive experience for us,” he says.