Concrete
That Tells
Stories
Public art in Spokane, WA and Indigenous heritage in Surrey, BC — two projects where custom urethane formliners transform infrastructure into permanent cultural narratives.
Featured
Projects
US 395 North
Spokane Corridor
The US 395 North Spokane Corridor project proves that infrastructure doesn't have to be uninspired. Across two phases, Spec Formliners partnered with Hamilton Construction and Max Kuney to deliver custom urethane formliners that brought public art directly into concrete — creating storytelling surfaces rather than just retaining walls. Phase 1 featured artwork by Spokane artist Melissa Cole under the Spokane Community College overpass, incorporating feathers, balsam root, Ponderosa branches, Red Band trout, and medallions of moose and wild horses honoring local tribes. Phase 2 showcased our cross-country production capabilities with three full-height murals — the Train Mural from our Missouri plant and the Day & Night Murals plus Running Horses from our California plant.
- Phase 1: feathers, Ponderosa branches, Red Band trout, moose & wild horses — honoring local tribes
- Phase 2: Train Mural (MO plant), Day & Night + Running Horses (CA plant) — dual-plant coordination
- Standard textures: Pattern #1613 Fractured Concrete and #1550 Fractured Basalt also incorporated
- Artist Melissa Cole: "If you can include artwork in infrastructure, I think it's great"
- Infrastructure as placemaking — connecting commuters to Spokane's cultural identity
Pattullo Bridge
Replacement
We're proud to be working with MSE Precast on the Pattullo Bridge Replacement project in Surrey, BC — where our custom urethane formliners are bringing deep cultural narrative to life through concrete at the Highway 17 overpass at Old Yale Road. The project features Indigenous artwork by Kwantlen First Nation artist Phyllis Atkins (q̓ʷɑt̓ic̓ɑ), whose design highlights sturgeon and eulachon — two species deeply rooted in the history and ecology of the Fraser River. The engraved textures include sturgeon scutes, the distinctive bony plates of these ancient fish. Phyllis drew inspiration from her river research, reflecting traditional Salish weaving patterns and honoring a specific sturgeon believed to be over 75 years old. The new bridge carries a name that acknowledges the Fraser River's importance to the Musqueam and Kwantlen Nations.
- Indigenous artwork by Kwantlen First Nation artist Phyllis Atkins cast directly into concrete
- Features sturgeon and eulachon — species central to Fraser River history and ecology
- Sturgeon scute textures inspired by a specific fish believed to be over 75 years old
- Reflects traditional Salish weaving patterns and Fraser River cultural heritage
- Bridge carries a name acknowledging the river's importance to Musqueam and Kwantlen Nations
Ready to Make
Concrete Beautiful?
From public art corridors to Indigenous cultural projects — we engineer the formliner to honor your vision and your community.