John Boulden and Jacob McNutt enjoy the view from Mt. Garfield.
Bill Taylor lets loose on the Lunch Loops.
Since 2008, the Grand Junction office has been the westernmost outpost of the SGM territory. This location allows GJ staff to provide services from Ouray to Rangely and even into eastern Utah. Throughout the past eight years, John Boulden and crew have been fortunate to work with many interesting people in both the public and private sector as well as enjoy the wide variety of recreational opportunities that the Western Slope has to offer.
Working in SGM’s Grand Junction office is not for the kind of person that can only perform one task. With only three engineers and one designer you have to be willing to take on a wide variety of activities. One day you may start out designing a bridge and finish with a residential grading plan. In between you probably also had to answer the phone dozens of times, make coffee and wash the dishes. It also comes with some interesting perks. Frances Blackwelder’s alter ego is an award-winning baker. Many mornings her coworkers are met at the door with the unmistakable smell of freshly baked cinnamon rolls or some other delicacy.
In the end the biggest benefit is the ability to shape our communities through our designs. Recently the Grand Junction staff designed and managed the construction of the Limekiln Pedestrian Bridge for Mesa County. This project removed numerous students from the busy shoulder of State Highway 340 and gave them a safe way to get to school. Another project the team is excited about is designing the final segment of the Riverfront Trail system. Once this segment is in place, bikers from all over the valley will be able to ride directly to the Kokopelli trailhead on a dedicated multi-use path.
Sun and fun on the Colorado River for Frances Blackwelder and Jacob McNutt.
An additional reason the team is excited to help complete the Riverfront Trail system is to work off all those extra cinnamon rolls! So if you’re in the area, swing by the Grand Junction office and meet our talented staff. There’s a high likelihood your sweet tooth will be satisfied, and you just might pick up some insider scoop for great bike riding or hiking trails in the beautiful Grand Valley.
