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FDR keeps growing
Like mill and fill projects, full-depth reclamation (FDR) is well positioned to take advantage of ARRA dollars. "We have seen some FDR work that was part of that 'shovel ready' type of work," Holland reports.

FDR is also benefitting from the "green" movement. "That means looking at all processes and deciding not only how we can save money, but save resources, as well," says Tim Kowalski, manager of recycling products, Wirtgen America. "We are turning to an age where recycling is going to be the new virgin material for everything we do. After all, some of the best materials are already in the road."

FDR has been around for several years, but has remained a niche in the industry. "FDR should be mainstream," says Holland. "I really think it will grow. It will take some effort and some education."

He is not the only one who shares this vision. Mt. Carmel Stabilization Group, Mt. Carmel, IL, ranks among the largest soil stabilization contractors in North America, and it is placing an emphasis on FDR. The company averages about a million square yards of FDR work a year, approximately 5% of its current business. And it recently opened an office in Pittsburgh completely dedicated to FDR in Pennsylvania and the Northeast New England area.

Despite the current downturn, Mt. Carmel Stabilization Group hasn't missed a beat. "As a company, we are tremendously busy. Most of our work right now is soil stabilization work," says Neil Ryan, marketing manager.