Freyssinet Inc. is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, marking three decades of work that spans bridges, stadiums, and some of the most complex infrastructure projects in the United States. From its earliest days as a one-man operation in a Virginia home office, the company has grown into a 150-employee specialty contractor with a reputation for solving difficult engineering challenges and keeping safety at the forefront for its workers, clients, and communities.
The company’s origins can be traced back to March 1995, when professional engineer Drew Micklus founded CCS Special Structures, operating as the sole US licensee for the French firm Freyssinet International et Cie. “It started as a one-man office in my house,” Micklus recalls. His focus at the time was on post-tensioning and stay cable services and products for the U.S. market. Within five years, the success of that venture led the parent company to purchase CCS Special Structures in April 2000, operating as Freyssinet LLC. Over time, the U.S. entity became Freyssinet Inc., officially incorporated in 2008 as a subsidiary of Soletanche Freyssinet.
Today, the U.S. company is firmly established as a multi-disciplined specialty contractor. “We’ve continued to grow to where we are now,” says Micklus, who serves as vice-president and chief operating officer. “Our initial focus was post-tensioning, stay cables and cable supported bridges and significant civil structures. Now we’re more of a multi-disciplined specialty contractor.” That evolution has allowed Freyssinet to broaden its scope while keeping bridges and structural work at the heart of its identity.
The company now operates through two principal sectors. The first is new structures, which includes the bridge and structures work that defined its earliest projects. The second is repair and strengthening, an area that has seen the most growth in the last decade. Much of this work involves serving as a specialty subcontractor to general contractors, particularly on heavy highway bridges and as a general contractor. Freyssinet’s concrete repair and strengthening lines of business, forms what business developer Stephen Schorn describes as a “huge scope of work” whether as a sub or general contractor. The company’s ability to address both new builds and repair projects has made it indispensable to public and private clients across infrastructure, plants, facilities, stadiums, and beyond.
On the bridge side, Freyssinet deploys both proprietary and established techniques. Its in-house carbon fiber product, Foreva, is a key tool for strengthening aging structures, while other services include cathodic protection, epoxy injection, joint replacement, shotcrete, and protection against saltwater intrusion. Schorn emphasizes that in many cases repair is not only more cost-effective but also less disruptive. “The ultimate goal here is to extend the service life of the existing structure,” he explains. “While it’s not as glorious as a new build, it is a lot more cost-effective nowadays to repair and extend the use of existing structure rather than demolish and replace.”
“While it’s not as glorious as a new build, it is a lot more cost-effective nowadays to repair and extend the use of existing structure rather than demolish and replace.”
A strong example is the SR 5/US 1/Overseas Highway over Channel 5 Bridge project in Florida, a $13.5 million effort to protect the vital link between Miami and the Florida Keys. Freyssinet installed cathodic protection jackets to mitigate corrosion of the concrete piles, encapsulating the rebar against saltwater damage. The project required temporarily lifting sections of the bridge—structures weighing roughly 500 tons each—so that old bearings could be replaced safely. Schorn notes that the solution not only extended the bridge’s lifespan but avoided detrimental impacts on the community. “It also minimizes disruption to the travelling public: you don’t have detours, and in the FL Keys, there aren’t alternatives.”
The company’s portfolio also includes projects that blur the line between engineering and spectacle. One notable achievement is the CONSOL Energy Wing Tip Bridge in West Virginia, a 786-foot pedestrian bridge described by Micklus as “one of the more complicated pedestrian bridges built in the U.S.” The structure incorporates an observation platform at its apex, making it both a transportation link and a destination in its own right. The bridge serves as the centerpiece of the Bechtel Reserve Summit Center, connecting four base camps and six villages. It’s the permanent home for Scouting America’s National Jamboree, having hosted the World Scout Jamboree, drawing global attention to the site.
Stadiums are another area where Freyssinet has demonstrated its expertise. Years of experience, including work on BC Place in Vancouver, prepared the company for its role in the Allegiant Stadium project in Las Vegas. There, Freyssinet supplied and erected cables for one of the first cable-net supported roof structures in the United States. Working initially under a design-assist contract, the company helped develop budget estimates and contributed significant engineering to ensure success before entering into a construction contract for the cable net roof package. The $1.97 billion project, completed by a Mortenson-McCarthy joint venture, was delivered on time and remains one of the most iconic sports venues in the country. Micklus notes that Freyssinet’s involvement in such landmark projects underscores its versatility and technical capability and the benefits of having the resources of Freyssinet’s International specialists for project support.
Looking ahead, the company sees opportunities for growth in both sectors of its business. Stadiums across the U.S. continue to embrace cable-net roof designs, creating potential work in markets where teams are considering new or refurbished facilities. The Chicago Bears, Tennessee Titans, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Washington Commanders are among the organizations constructing or planning stadium projects that may require Freyssinet’s expertise. On the infrastructure side, the replacement of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, destroyed in a tragic accident in March 2024, represents one of the most significant upcoming opportunities for new cable stayed bridge construction. The new 1.6-mile structure, with an expected price tag approaching $2 billion, is scheduled for completion as early as fall 2028.
Despite its U.S. focus, Freyssinet Inc. benefits from the resources of its Paris-based parent company, enabling it to bring global expertise to local challenges. “There’s no geographic limitation to the work we can provide,” Micklus emphasizes. “We’ve got a tremendous amount of tools in our toolbox, and a lot of techniques that are unique and highly specialized. We can offer solutions to problems that few other companies can match.” That global reach, paired with local experience, gives Freyssinet an advantage in tackling projects of scale and complexity.
Safety remains a cornerstone of operations, woven through every aspect of project delivery. The company’s emphasis on protecting its workforce, clients, and stakeholders reflects both regulatory requirements and a deeper cultural commitment. By embedding safety into planning, design, and execution, Freyssinet ensures that its projects deliver long-term value without compromising those who make them possible.
As it celebrates its 30th year, Freyssinet Inc. stands as proof of how a small start-up can grow into a nationally recognized specialty contractor. From Drew Micklus’s one-man office in Virginia to the 150-strong workforce of today, the company has expanded its scope, diversified its services, and demonstrated that innovation and care can coexist. Whether extending the life of a bridge in Florida, crafting a landmark pedestrian crossing in West Virginia, or helping deliver a world-class stadium in Las Vegas, Freyssinet brings the same combination of technical expertise and collaborative spirit. It is a legacy built on three decades of progress, and one that promises to keep shaping the U.S. infrastructure landscape for years to come.
