Most people are familiar with the “Big Check.”

You see the Big Check at things like telethons, golf tournaments or Publisher’s Clearinghouse commercials. It’s a ridiculously oversized piece of foam board that’s a real attention grabber. 

But of course the “Big Check” is just a prop. You would have a little trouble heading to your neighborhood bank and making a deposit. It might be kind of fun to try, though.

This subject occurs to us at the ‘ol ADOT Ranch because some people think we just got the Big Check with the recent passage of the federal infrastructure bill. 

While it’s true that this new law will pump a fair amount of money into the state for various infrastructure-related projects, there is no Big Check. The money, while definitely appreciated, has to travel through a pretty complex process that takes time and a lot of cooperation between the State, the federal government as well as local and regional government entities.

Truth be told, government funding for lots of things, including transportation, requires a great deal of scrutiny before it gets directed to one thing or another. And that’s a good thing because it’s your money. Your tax dollars at work, as the saying goes. 

It’s important that as the funds come in, they are accounted for and distributed in strict accordance with the law and through a transparent and public-facing process. This recent news release explains that process.

All of this detail to accept and distribute these new funds may seem cumbersome and maybe even frustrating. But that’s OK because those processes are there by design to make sure no rash decisions are made and everyone has a chance to examine and comment on what’s going on. 

We will admit, however, that getting a Big Check would be kinda fun. 

Mechanically Stabilized Earth. Are there any words more thrilling to the human soul?

Honestly? Probably. More likely? Absolutely.

But that doesn’t change the fact that Mechanically Stabilized Earth plays an important role in ADOT infrastructure.

In fact, there’s a good chance you’ve passed by an MSE wall and were none the wiser!

You start by acquiring high quality soil. That soil gets compacted inside retaining walls and reinforced with steel rods. Other material can be, and sometimes is, used instead of steel. But why mess with a reliable compound?

These pieces (wall face, soil, rods) are assembled sort of like a jigsaw puzzle or building blocks. They are then sewn together, if you will, using steel straps.

Not only are they a safe and stable choice, but Mechanically Stabilized Earth walls are also cost effective! Another main draw to MSE walls is that they can be constructed quickly and relatively easily.

Recent projects that have utilized MSE walls include the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway (photo bottom right) and the latest Grand Avenue/Bell Road interchange project (photo top right). And it’s not just these ventures that use MSE walls. In fact, ADOT’s been using this approach since the 1970s! 

But its history goes back way further than that, perhaps even to the dawn of civilization. Segments of the Great Wall of China have been found to employ a rudimentary reinforced soil technique. And that's held up quite well!

Next time you’re driving around Arizona’s highways, impress your friends! Tell them that you know all about Mechanically Stabilized Earth Walls.