[RHayden]

Just thought I would share with you just how easy building these retaining walls can be. The project in question was an IDOT along a busy state route which just happens to be on the way to where my Dad and I do a little fishing and was completed this past fall. Winter being winter, I hadn't been by that way until yesterday.

When the Dodge came out on the overall project last spring I ran some numbers and knew we didn't have any business proceeding any further. Our preliminary estimate on this phase - not bid mind you but estimate only- was twice what the final award ultimately came in at.

I ran into the GC's super late last summer and asked him how the walls were going. "Fine", says he "those things go up pretty fast you know cause you are really just stacking block". I later heard thru the grapevine that the GC built the walls using their highway laborers.

I apologize if the photos are of poor quality as I was grinning so big I may have inhaled the camera. Just remember guys and gals, all you have to do is stack 'em.

[Stonehenge]

It's nice when the walls come together nicely like that, isn't it?

What's the corrugated pipe running top to bottom for? Is there a lot of drainage from atop the walls?

[4seasons]

The pipes are how they communicate when someones working up high and the people on the bottom can reach them!
It fell apart that fast? wow they really had no clue.

[RHayden]

Dad and I didn't understand the corrugated piping situation either. There is another set on down the wall as well. The natural drainage from above doesn't flow toward either set of pipes so I'm at a loss. Could be like Bruce says. Or possibly a twinkie/cupcake transport system for break and lunch time.

[natural12]

Wow that looks like a nightmare.