Over time, storm water runoff from an adjacent highway caused severe erosion of a 2H:1V embankment at an interchange in Salisbury, Md. Sloughing of large sections of the upper topsoil layer exposed the clayey sand embankment soils to surface runoff, which developed into rills and gullies that were up to 4 ft deep. To prevent further erosion—and with options limited by a wetlands at the bottom that prevented flattening of the slope—the Maryland State Highway Administration (MDSHA) turned to the Geoweb slope protection system.
The Geoweb system’s 3-D structure is designed to confine and stabilize topsoil on steep slopes. The confined infill remains stable and is minimally affected by surface runoff. Approximately 29,000 sq ft of the Geoweb material was placed and anchored on slopes of between 50 and 75 ft in length.
Presto’s design team worked with the MDSHA’s consultant to provide a solution for this site that included the Geoweb GW30V (mid-size cell), 4-in.-depth material and 3-ft ATRA anchors. An erosion control blanket was included as a surface treatment to provide erosion protection during the germination period.
