Project Overview

The Link Logistics FedEx Distribution Center faced a critical infrastructure threat when a severe embankment failure occurred along Addison Creek, exposing a dangerously steep 24-foot high slope just feet from the facility’s curb line. The failure compromised site safety and posed environmental risks due to erosion and subsequent sediment deposition into the creek. Due to dense vegetation beyond an electrified fence adjacent to the drive isle, it was not possible to see the erosion until the embankment had failed to the back of curb. The loss of vegetation allowed the failure to be viewed. Immediately the landowner went into action to protect the facility.

Traditional stabilization methods such as sheet piling, gabion walls, and concrete block systems were evaluated but ultimately rejected due to high costs, safety concerns, and impracticality in the constrained, continuously active truck terminal. These methods required extensive excavation, undercutting, staging areas, and posed risks of further destabilizing the bank during installation.

CBBEL, in collaboration with Spaceco, Inc., proposed a novel solution using Kyowa Filter Unit Bags—typically used underwater but adapted here for above-water embankment stabilization. These geotextile bags were pre-filled offsite and installed efficiently using long-arm excavators, minimizing disruption to site operations. The bags allowed for a stable 1.5:1 slope, fitting precisely within the available space between the pavement and creek, while also accommodating vegetation, security fencing, and mapped floodplain.

The project was completed in August 2025, exceeding all budget and schedule goals. It restored site safety, prevented further erosion, and improved water quality by halting sediment transport and deposition downstream. This innovative approach demonstrated engineering creativity, environmental stewardship, and potential for broader application in similar high-risk, space-constrained environments.