Abstract: A retaining wall system is comprised of a retaining wall with an outer face. A cut is excavated in successive sections to form exposed cut faces. The exposed cut face of each successively excavated section may be temporarily supported with pneumatically applied concrete. A concrete wale is then formed horizontally along a portion of the exposed cut face of each successively excavated section. Next, tiebacks are installed through the concrete wale. The tiebacks are tested, tensioned and secured against the concrete wale. After the excavation has been completed and the retaining wall formed, an outer face is provided which extends to the full height of the retaining wall. A concrete footing is first provided at the base of the retaining wall. Next, a first tier of facing elements is erected above the concrete footing. These facing elements are then secured to a first adjacent concrete wale at a first connection point. Backfill material is placed between the first tier of facing elements and the retaining wall.