Infrastructure doesn’t have to be invisible. In fact, the best infrastructure speaks: it tells stories, honors culture, and connects communities across time and space. At Spec Formliners, we’ve always believed that concrete can carry more than structural load; it can carry meaning.
Over the past year, we’ve had the privilege of contributing to projects that exemplify this philosophy. From preserving America’s most iconic highway to honoring Indigenous heritage and creating dynamic industrial spaces, these recent completions showcase how thoughtful formliner application transforms functional concrete into meaningful architecture.
Let’s take a closer look at three standout projects that demonstrate why context matters as much as construction.
Some roads are more than roads: they’re cultural arteries that carry the spirit of a nation. Route 66, America’s “Mother Road,” is one such thoroughfare. When the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) embarked on a $106 million project to create a free-flowing system interchange at the junction of I-40 and historic Route 66 in Kingman, Arizona, they understood that this wasn’t just about eliminating traffic backups or enhancing freight movement. This was about preserving a vital piece of national history.
Working alongside Fisher Sand & Gravel, we provided custom urethane formliners and multi-use plastic sheets to create bold, cast-in-place structures that pay tribute to the spirit of Route 66. The textures we helped create aren’t just decorative: they’re cultural markers etched directly into the landscape, ensuring that even as traffic flows more efficiently, the heritage of this legendary highway remains visible and tangible.
The project’s estimated completion is set for 2027, with major phases wrapping up by 2025. But the real completion will be measured not just in improved traffic flow, but in how successfully we’ve managed to honor the past while building for the future. It’s a perfect example of how concrete can carry culture, creating infrastructure that doesn’t just serve, it celebrates.
Stories flow like rivers, and sometimes infrastructure becomes the vessel that carries them forward. The Pattullo Bridge Replacement project in Surrey, British Columbia, represents one of the most meaningful collaborations we’ve undertaken: a project where our custom urethane formliners helped bring Indigenous artwork and cultural narrative to life through concrete.
Working with MSE Precast, we contributed to a project that features stunning Indigenous artwork by Kwantlen First Nation artist q̓ʷɑt̓ic̓ɑ (Phyllis Atkins). Her design highlights sturgeon and eulachon, two species deeply rooted in the history and ecology of the Fraser River. The engraved textures on the Highway 17 overpass at Old Yale Road include sturgeon scutes: the distinctive bony plates that make these ancient fish so unique.
Phyllis drew inspiration from her time studying the river and its life, reflecting traditional Salish weaving patterns in her design. Her work honors the memory of a sturgeon found with a full row of scutes still in her belly, believed to be over 75 years old. The design also speaks to her connection with fellow researcher Garrett Martindale of the Sts’ailes First Nation, who shared in her dedication to white sturgeon conservation.
This effort is part of a broader cultural recognition program tied to the bridge project. The new bridge will carry a name that acknowledges the importance of the Fraser River to the Musqueam and Kwantlen Nations, ensuring that Indigenous heritage remains visible and honored in the built environment.
Industrial architecture doesn’t have to be monotonous. Sometimes, all a building needs is movement: visual rhythm that transforms functional space into dynamic architecture. Our contribution to the East Park project in Pleasant Grove, Utah, demonstrates how the right formliner pattern can elevate industrial design from purely functional to architecturally compelling.
East Park, also known as East 15 Commerce Park, is a 29.6-acre master-planned development featuring two Class A distribution warehouses totaling 427,604 square feet. Developed by Dakota Pacific Real Estate and constructed by Big-D Construction, this strategic location directly off Interstate 15 and Pleasant Grove Boulevard addresses the region’s high demand for functional industrial space.
To enhance the architectural appeal of these tilt-up structures, we supplied 125 sheets of our #1734 Adrian Flute pattern. This design introduces clean horizontal lines and dynamic shadowing, adding depth and movement to the tilt-up façades. The result is industrial architecture that doesn’t just house business: it enhances the landscape.
The success of this project reinforces our belief that every building, regardless of its function, deserves thoughtful design consideration. Industrial doesn’t have to mean invisible, and functional doesn’t have to mean forgettable.
Looking across these three diverse projects: from Arizona highways to British Columbia bridges to Utah warehouses, a common thread emerges. Each represents our commitment to working with culturally engaged municipalities and forward-thinking contractors who understand that infrastructure can reflect local heritage, honor community values, and create spaces that resonate with meaning.
Whether we’re helping preserve the spirit of Route 66, bringing Indigenous artwork to life, or adding movement to industrial spaces, the principle remains the same: when concrete meets context, we don’t just build better: we build meaningfully.
These projects also highlight the expertise and dedication of our team, particularly Mike Castillo, whose leadership across multiple projects ensures that technical excellence never comes at the expense of cultural sensitivity or design vision. His ability to coordinate complex projects while maintaining focus on both form and function exemplifies the collaborative approach that defines our best work.
At Spec Formliners, we’ve always believed that the built environment should reflect the values and stories of the communities it serves. These recent project completions demonstrate that this philosophy isn’t just idealistic: it’s practical, achievable, and essential for creating infrastructure that truly serves.
As we look ahead to future projects, we remain committed to collaborating with partners who share this vision. Whether you’re working on transportation infrastructure, cultural facilities, or industrial developments, we’re here to help ensure that your concrete tells the right story.
Because at the end of the day, every surface has a story to tell. We’re here to help you tell it well.
For more information about how Spec Formliners can contribute to your next meaningful project, contact us today.
714.429.9500 | www.specformliners.com