Alpha Structural warns that without proactive inspections and reinforcement, communities face escalating infrastructure failures, costly disasters, and preventable threats to public safety. These events demonstrate the urgent need for proactive retaining wall maintenance and reinforcement. "For almost 100 years, retaining walls have made it possible to develop property that would otherwise be unusable. (5) The collapse of a retaining wall supporting Interstate 580 near Livermore, following historic atmospheric river rains, forced long-term lane closures and crippled a major transportation lifeline. "Retaining Wall of Interstate 580 at Altamont Pass Collapses down Hill."

Source: Los Angeles Times January 19, 2026 16:21 UTC