As fall turns to winter, construction season has come to a close. The Whitefish 2^nd Street/US93 Project is up and running for the winter. Spring construction will commence as soon as the weather turns, with plenty of time to be completed by the height of summer tourist season. 

Other projects WGM Group saw completed this summer were:

• Milwaukee Trail
• Arthur Street Water Main Replacement
• 5th/6th/Arthur Intersection Improvements
• Silvertip Apartments
• 2011 Road Rehabilitation in Ravalli County
• Florence Sidewalk Project
• Daly Elementary School in Hamilton
• US Highway 93 Hamilton to Victor Project

On November 2^nd WGM Group was honored by peers from the American Council of Engineering Companies for our contribution to design of the US-93 Lolo to Hamilton project. Implementation of this project required an extensive public involvement process and three different consultants, working collaboratively to design and construct the 45-mile corridor. A Citizen's Advisory Committee was organized to include Focus Groups for specific interests and sections. The design team and MDT met regularly with the public and the outcome of the 19-year collaboration is a highly unique design that respects the splendor of the area, addresses local needs, increases capacity, and improves safety on one of the most beautiful 45-mile stretches of the National Highway System. 

The Milwaukee Railroad Path extension between Russell and Reserve Streets opened on October 16th, connecting the River Road and Emma Dickinson neighborhoods to the Missoula Bike Pedestrian Trail System. WGM Group designed the trail, which was completed for the Missoula Parks Department and The Missoula Redevelopment Agency.  The path incorporates landscape elements and pocket parks, features that are important to encouraging high-quality housing in close proximity to services and employment centers.

WGM Group is a leader in bicycle and pedestrian design. Our projects include hundreds of miles of trails, paths, bike lanes, and sidewalks throughout western Montana. We recognize the importance of complete streets and non-motorized transportation systems to quality community design. We advocate for these facilities and are committed to providing high-quality, safe design for all users. The Milwaukee Trail is an important example of these amenities improving existing neighborhoods. To learn about the Grand Opening click here.

Flight Over Downtown Whitefish

After a year of an aggressive design schedule, the 2nd Street Improvement Project will break ground on September 12^th!  Click to view the Final Design. This downtown streetscape project was originally conceived in the Whitefish Downtown Master Plan. As part of national economic recovery efforts in 2009, the City of Whitefish received a $3.5 million TIGER grant from the US Department of Transportation. Fast tracked design began in August 2010, so funds could be obligated by September 2011, as stipulated in the grant.

The contracting firm, LHC, Inc., will reconstruction the two blocks of Highway 93, from Spokane Avenue to Baker Avenue, during the fall of 2011 and spring of 2012. Construction will also include sewer improvements to Lupfer Avenue. Construction will require extensive detours with substantial impacts to downtown traffic. Folks interested in learning more about the project should visit the project website by clicking here.

Thanks to those who attended the meeting about the North Higgins Cycle Tracks. From our point of view, the feedback was extremely constructive. The City made it clear that they would like to continue to hear from folks. So, let's keep the conversation going! One group that was under represented, possibly because the meeting was during business hours, was the downtown business community. Please encourage these folks to contact the City with comments. Phil Smith with the Bike Pedestrian Office is leading this effort. His email is PSmith@ci.missoula.mt.us.

On July 12 WGM Group helped the Missoula Midtown Association and the Missoula Redevelopment Agency celebrate the Brooks Street Commercial Sidewalk project with a groundbreaking ceremony and ice cream social. Missoula Mayor John Engen took part in the festivities and thanked property owners for their cooperation in the dedication of easements for this project. Watch the ceremony on the news here!

The Brooks Street Commercial Sidewalk Project is part of a multi-year effort by the MRA to complete missing links in the sidewalk network throughout Urban Renewal District III (Midtown). This phase of the project includes curb, sidewalk, trees and landscaping on Brooks and adjacent streets. By the end of the year, MRA will have invested more than $3 million of curb and sidewalk infrastructure in URD III, and will continue to work on remaining sidewalk gaps in the district. The sidewalk project is 100 percent funded by Urban Renewal District Funds, without assessments to adjacent property owners.

This project will further the goal of revitalizing the area and promoting Midtown as a place to invest, shop, work, play and live by:

• Creating safer and more direct sidewalk routes to schools, businesses, and parks;
• Improving accessibility to businesses and removing obstacles;
• Enhancing land aesthetics;
• Contributing to increased property values; and
• Reducing pollution and congestion.

Construction season is kicking off much like last year. That is to say, wet. But with smart scheduling and great contractors, things are on track. Look to see these WGM Group projects constructed this summer.

• Milwaukee Trail
• Arthur Street Water Main Replacement
• 5^th/6^th/Arthur Intersection Improvements
• Silvertip Apartments
• 2011 Road Rehabilitation in Ravalli County
• Florence Sidewalk Project
• Daly Elementary School in Hamilton
• Brooks Street Commercial Sidewalks
• Whitefish 2^nd Street (fall)

If you have questions about these projects, please do not hesitate to contact us at 406-728-4611.

WGM Group surveyors recently teamed with MT LiDAR to preform LiDAR mapping on 3^rd Street in Missoula. LiDAR is Light Detection and Ranging, and is an optical remote sensing technology that can measure the distance to, and other properties of an object by illuminating the object with pulses from a laser. When used on an aircraft platform it creates a "point cloud" image of the ground and ground structures from the reflected laser pulses. Large areas can be mapped with LiDAR for structure locations and ground elevations. This technology is rapid and reduces mapping time and the risk to field survey personnel attempting to map streets and other features using ground techniques.

For 3^rd Street this data will be used for road, sidewalk, drainage, and utility design, as the LiDAR provides very dense ground elevation points and the locations of houses, overhead utilities, ditches, bridges and other structures. The LiDAR data will aid in more complete and comprehensive design with lower construction costs arising from changes in design at the time of construction.

WGM Group was recently selected to design the new Riverfront Park in Libby, MT - an area currently undergoing Superfund cleanup by the EPA. Melissa-Matassa Stone PE will manage the project under the guidance of Jeremy Keene PE.

The City of Libby has a vision for the site that includes multi-purpose open space, trails, vehicular parking improvements, and boat/trailer parking at the boat ramps. WGM Group has experience with all the critical elements of this project, including riverfront trail/park design, park master planning, and working with multiple environmental agencies. Our strength lies in our ability to see the big picture and successfully turn broad visions into reality.

WGM Group has long touted the importance of vigorous mathematics and applied science in our schools and we are pleased to see it is a priority for Missoula County Public Schools. The Missoula Robotics Team, which is in its second year and based out of Hellgate Highschool, is a prime example of this new emphasis on technological skill building. This year the team will take students from Missoula to Seattle and Portland to participate in competitions. Last year, in Salt Lake City, the Missoula team placed 1^st out of the rookie teams and 5^th overall. Click here to learn more about their success.

As engineers, we know first hand how important applied technological skills are for Montana's economy. We also know that they are critical for keeping the United States competitive in the global economy. NASA has donated $5, 500 to the Missoula Robotics Team, getting them ¼ of the way towards their $20,000.00 goal. WGM Group has generous plans for the Missoula Robotics Team and it is our hope that the community will too.

Check out the Missoula Robotics Team's website here!