Ram Jack New Mexico was chosen by FNF Construction, the awarded general contractor, to design and install the temporary earth retaining system while maintaining the integrity of the existing structure
The New Mexico Department of Transportation awarded a contract in 2023 for the Highway 556 bridge near Church Rock. As the bridge serves as the main access to Interstate 40 for residents, parts of the existing bridge had to remain in service while the new one was being built. To minimize the need for realignment of the road and provide enough space for the new bridge, deep vertical excavation was necessary, requiring temporary earth retention during excavation. Ram Jack New Mexico was chosen by FNF Construction, the awarded general contractor, to design and install the temporary earth retaining system while maintaining the integrity of the existing structure.




The new excavation required approximately 4,720 square feet of temporary earth retention, with a maximum retained vertical height of roughly thirty feet. Following an evaluation of soil conditions and retained soil height, a temporary soil nail and shotcrete shoring system was deemed appropriate. Ram Jack New Mexico provided stamped engineering drawings and calculations for the project.

To eliminate the need for temporary casing during nail installation, a hollow bar installation technique involving simultaneous drilling and grouting was employed. Soil nails were fixed a 5-foot horizontal and vertical intervals. Drain strips, welded wire fabric, and reinforcing bars were established after each lift or row of nails. Following installation, a 6-inch-thick layer of shotcrete was sprayed onto the wall face, and the process was repeated until the wall was finished.Ram Jack New Mexico completed the soil nail wall within 20 working days. The highway 556 bridge project exemplifies how Ram Jack New Mexico assists in taking projects from initial design and bidding to efficient construction completion, while keeping track of the production schedule and budget.Ram Jack of New Mexico offers residential and commercial foundation repair services in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and surrounding areas. Click here for a PDF version of the Ram Jack New Mexico Bridge Project case study.