MNSEA Monthly Meeting: Treetop Trail at the Minnesota Zoo (4/15/2025)
Date and Time
Tuesday Apr 15, 2025
7:00 AM - 9:15 AM CDT
Breakfast & Registration - 7:00 AM
General Meeting - 7:30 – 8:00 AM
Presentation & Discussion - 8:00 – 9:15 AM
Location
MNCPA 1650 West 82nd Street, Suite 600,
SouthPoint Office Center - 6th Floor
Bloomington, MN 55431
Fees/Admission
In-Person: $50 for members / $60 for non-members
Virtual: $40 for members / $50 for non-members
$25 for YMG
$40 for unemployed members
Free for student attendees
Description
Presentation - Treetop Trail at the Minnesota Zoo
Description: This presentation will discuss the conversion of the existing monorail at the Minnesota Zoo into the world’s longest continuous pedestrian loop. Topics will include project history, analysis and design, monorail strengthening, and construction challenges and solutions.
Presenters: JW Murphy Curran & Craig Huhtala
J.W. Murphy Curran, PE (MN), SE, Principal, Meyer Borgman Johnson
Murphy leads multiple projects and corporate initiatives for MBJ. As a project Principal, Murphy oversees a diverse range of projects in multiple markets including science and technology, civic, cultural, educational, and healthcare. As business development director across MBJ’s seven offices, Murphy collaborates with other leaders and staff on a range of pursuits, and spearheads external communication of MBJ’s expertise, vision and differentiation. He has specialized structural expertise with hardworking high-performance buildings, existing structures, mass timber, and leadership of complex projects. Murphy is a Licensed Professional Engineer in Minnesota and multiple other states, and is a registered Structural Engineer in the State of Illinois.
Craig Huhtala, PE, Structural Engineer, Meyer Borgman Johnson
Craig is a versatile engineer who has been analyzing and modifying existing structural systems since graduating from the University of Minnesota in 2014. In addition to expertise in existing continuous steel beam systems and steel joist analysis, he is also experienced with composite steel and concrete construction, steel framing, and masonry bearing and lateral systems. Craig has served as project manager for various mechanical and architectural upgrade projects for MBJ’s Fortune 500 clients and several projects at MSP International Airport, project engineer on a number of large corporate and community projects, and lead engineer for many rooftop solar array evaluations.