Recreation & Civil Structures

Starting at over 900 feet above the ground, “X Scream” passengers roll 27 feet over the edge of the tower before coming to an abrupt stop. Riders of the 20-ton “Insanity” are strapped into one of 5 rotating pods suspended from mechanical arms and extended past the edge of the tower over 900 feet in the air.

The 1,722 foot long Galena Creek Bridge, part of the I-580 extension between Reno and Carson City, was named 2013 Project of the Year by ENR Southwest.  The bridge spans a sensitive creek environment and is situated in an area prone to high winds – two factors that posed significant design and construction challenges.

Project general contractor Fisher Industries of Phoenix proposed a brilliant solution to address both concerns: construct a temporary 35 foot span by 400 foot long arched concrete bridge over the creek, then place 140 feet of fill above to create a flat working surface on which to construct the shoring and formwork for the bridge.  Dave Rowe, PE, SE, structural engineer and principal with Wright Engineers, designed the temporary bridge taking into consideration the interaction of the soil with the arch structure as well as the immense weight of fill above.  Sadly (for us, anyway) once the main bridge construction was complete, the fill and temporary bridge were removed.

The accompanying photo by CC Myers, Inc, Fisher’s bridge subcontractor, shows the temporary tunnel and fill beneath the nearly completed bridge.

With several builders and about 480 acres, this master planned community is a big addition to the east valley.  Wright provided structural engineering services for entry features, bridges, theme walls, park elements, and trellises.

Entry monument and signage design

Entry monument Signage design by ABLA

Two identical 48 foot span arched bridges.  Several other arched bridges are also located on the site.

Cantilevered over the hillside with a seating area and walkway beneath, the “zero” edge pool and infinity edge spa fall into a trough suspended over the lower area.  Pool builder Ozzie Kraft Enterprises won Best of Show at the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals’ International Awards of Excellence ceremony at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.  The award is the most prestigious International Award in the swimming pool industry.  Wright Engineers provided structural engineering services for this pool.  Wright Engineers has also provided structural engineering services for thousands of other pools.

100,000 square foot campus includes the Thomas and Mack Employment  Resource Center and the Kitty Rodman Arts Enrichment Center.