The American Galvanizers Association conducts an annual competition for projects that represent Excellence and Innovation in Galvanizing. The competition features 10 categories that represent projects that are unique, creative, and/or monumental. Aztec Galvanizing Services, an AMSE Associate Member, received 4 of the 10 awards in the following categories.

• Bridge & Highway: Missouri DOT I-70 Bridge Enhancement, St. Louis, MO
• Duplex Systems: Mission Valley East Light Rail Transit -- Grantville Station, San Diego, CA
• Agriculture: Legacy Farms (a 6000 cow dairy), Plainview, TX
• Transportation: AmTrak West Oakland Maintenance Facility, Oakland, CA

Peter L. Andersen, P.E. and Keith Brabant, P.E., of The Reinforced Earth Company presented a paper titled Increased Use of MSE Abutments at the 22nd Annual International Bridge Conference held in Pittsburgh, June 13-15, 2005. The Conference attracts more than 1,200 bridge owners and engineers, senior policy makers, government officials, bridge designers, construction executives, and suppliers.

According to the paper’s abstract, Reinforced Earth^® structures, introduced in the U.S. in 1971, were initially used primarily for retaining walls, yet many early structures supported heavy and concentrated loads for railways, industrial structures and highway bridges. Success spawned competing systems, the generic name Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE), and a new industry. In spite of initial reluctance by some bridge engineers, Reinforced Earth and MSE abutments are now widely accepted; more than 1000 bridges are currently supported by this technology.