Know someone who would benefit from our bi-monthly newsletter?

Click the button below to Subscribe on their behalf, or forward them this email and encourage them to check it out for themselves!

The Sioux Falls Regional Airport is enjoying yet another record year, with passenger traffic up and site-wide improvements being made to runways and parking. Naturally, the airport is also looking inward in the hopes to add more flights (including potential international routes), entice new carriers, and create an elevated experience for travelers.

West Plains Engineering is currently part of a team led by Mead & Hunt that is planning for the expansion of the existing terminal building. The initial Terminal Planning Study was completed in October of 2023, and a conceptual plan selected. This plan utilizes the majority of the existing concourse, but converts the departure lounge space of Gates 1 and 3 into circulation space that connects to the expansion. Once passengers proceed through security, they will be greeted by an open atrium with food, beverage, and retail amenities. South of the atrium, the expansion plans for up to six gates with a center concession core.

This project is being coordinated through a Construction Manager at Risk delivery method and is utilizing Value Engineering (VE) to provide various design options.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) aims to modernize and transform America’s infrastructure. The goal of the program is to improve our infrastructure’s resiliency and sustainability, enhance public health and safety, support economic growth, address climate change, and bridge the ever-growing digital divide. The $1.2 trillion in funds began allocation in 2022 and will continue through 2026, with the actual construction of the resulting projects spanning decades.

While many of these initiatives will be led by our civil and structural counterparts, MEP design will play a crucial part in addressing and innovating one of the IIJA’s overarching areas of focus – how we generate, store, use, and protect the energy behind our infrastructure.

Transportation Revolution: $110 Billion

A significant portion of the IIJA is focused on improving roadways, bridges, railways, and airports – projects typically in the wheelhouse of our civil and structural counterparts. But MEP design will also play a significant role as a supporting character. Many of these spaces will need energy-efficient, reliable mechanical and electrical systems for roadway and bridge lighting, passenger concourses, and runways. MEP designers will also be challenged to continue developing the Electrical Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and traffic management system integration to reduce the new infrastructure’s carbon footprint, reduce traffic congestion, and improve air quality. 

Electric Grid & Energy Infrastructure: $73 Billion

Another key feature of the IIJA is investment in our nation’s electric grid reliability and resiliency. The program aims to make energy delivery more efficient through expansion and improvements to high-voltage transmission lines, distribution systems, and substations. There is a big focus on increased integration of renewable sources like solar and wind energy, which means T&D systems will also need to be modernized and/or constructed to support them. This is where we will also see the expanded use of energy storage systems and microgrids to both capture and scale energy for community-level use.

Finally, we’re already seeing (and will continue to see) a push for greater protection of our grid – whether it be from extreme weather events or cyber threats. There are currently many projects working toward moving overhead power lines underground to prevent weather-related damage. On the cyber front, more than $3 billion is allocated to the integration of smart grid technologies and advanced cybersecurity measures. 

Water Infrastructure: $55 Billion

Key improvements planned for the U.S. water infrastructure include lead pipe replacement, water treatment plant upgrades, and water storage projects. Additionally, the act supports rural water infrastructure and water recycling/reuse.

In this region of the country, the expansion of the rural water system is significant. MEP designers work closely with civil engineers to create mechanical and electrical systems for booster stations, well houses, pump houses, meter buildings, lift stations, and water towers. We are also heavily involved in optimizing water treatment plant design by incorporating energy efficient MEP systems, as well as advanced monitoring and controls. 

Broadband Expansion: $42 Billion

Our society relies on engagement with and connection to the digital world. But many rural communities still don’t have the infrastructure in place to support this lifestyle. MEP design facilitates the installation of fiber optic cables for high-speed internet and cell tower and small cell deployment. This enables communities to access reliable and fast internet, bridging the digital divide and fostering economic growth.

The IIJA may be at our doorstep today, but it’s impact will be felt for generations to come. By coming together as an AEC community with a truly integrated, collaborative design approach, we will be able to gift this country with an infrastructure that will sustain for our children, grandchildren, and beyond.



Article authored collaboratively by WPE engineers and staff.

The integration of renewable energy sources into the existing electrical infrastructure is high on the priority list to modernizing the United States’ grid. In our region, even small communities are taking steps to improve their local electrical efficiency and reliability through the addition of solar power.

West Plains Engineering is currently working with the City of Alliance in Nebraska on a new 35kV transmission line for a new solar farm. This design is a collaboration between the City of Alliance, the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska (MEAN), Western Area Power Administration (WAPA), and Sandhills Energy, LLC to develop, install and operate an 8MW solar farm that will serve a portion of the City of Alliance.

This project required extensive communication, and coordination between the parties involved to properly size and design a functional photovoltaic system that could meet the needs of the City without disrupting or interfering with the existing system. This required protection and coordination controls to be implemented in multiple locations, as well as creating a viable curtailment plan for the solar generation during times of low demand. A two-mile long sub-transmission line with distribution underbuild was also designed as a part of the project to link the solar transmission field to the existing Alliance substations.

The project is expecting to be complete by the end of 2024.

WPE Projects in the News

Check out some of our projects featured on social media and the news!

Block 5 Mixed-Use Development

Rapid City, SD

SDSU First Bank & Trust Arena

Brookings, SD

Tri-Valley Elementary & High School

Colton, SD

Jacobsen Plaza

Ice Ribbon

Sioux Falls, SD

DSU Trojan

Athletic Complex

Madison, SD

WPE Relocates Casper Office

We're pleased to share that we have relocated our Casper office to a new space!

As of Monday, October 28^th, we can now be found at 4080 S Poplar Street.

WPE has been in Downtown Casper at the Durbin Center since 1994, and we have enjoyed being at the heart of the community, surrounded by many of our industry partners and friends. This move simply provides our growing staff in Wyoming with a fresh working environment and accommodations. We hope you’ll be able to stop by and see our new space!

While our address has changed, our phone numbers and all other modes of communication remain the same. Please reach out to Office Manager Matt Stroh, P.E. if you have any questions.

Direct Phone: (307) 776-9973

Email: matt.stroh@westplainsengineering.com

WPE Holds Annual Continuing Ed Design Conference

For more than 3 decades, our team from across the region has made the commitment to come together once a year as colleagues and friends. We learn, solve problems, build relationships, laugh until it hurts, and remember what an amazing home we have at WPE. It's not always easy. Deadlines and our ever-present list of to-dos can make taking a few days away feel challenging. But without fail...it's ALWAYS worth it.

This year took us to historic Deadwood, SD from Oct. 9-11. We enjoyed discipline specific peer-to-peer learning; a session on how AI is and will impact the AEC industry from nationally-known expert Kristin Kautz, CPSM; on-site project tours at the Sanford Underground Research Facility, Lead-Deadwood Elementary and Franklin Hotel; team-building (and side-splitting laughter) during "The Co-Worker's Challenge" with Scotty Gunther; and hours of networking and making memories.

Click the collage above to view more photos from the event!

But Wait...There's More!

If you aren't currently following us on social media, you're missing out on daily updates from around our company (plus a few clever memes and wacky anecdotes for good measure).

Click any of the social icons below to see what we've been up to recently and don't forget to Like or Follow!

This publication is partially generated using AI but edited and verified by human experts.