Most people walk through life without giving much thought to the sidewalks beneath their feet, the water systems that keep parks lush, or the unseen structures that keep buildings standing tall through winter storms. But at McNeil Engineering, those are the details we think about every day.
Engineering isn’t always flashy. It doesn’t always make headlines or turn heads. But it’s foundational. And while our work often blends seamlessly into the background of your community, the truth is that every civil, structural, landscape, and infrastructure decision affects how we live, work, move, and connect.
Let’s pull back the curtain and take a look at some of the ways engineering shows up in everyday life, even when no one’s looking.
The Sidewalk You Didn’t Trip On
A sidewalk may seem simple. But designing a safe, accessible pathway that drains correctly, holds up under freezing temperatures, and doesn’t buckle under tree roots takes intention. Civil engineers consider slope, material expansion, and ADA compliance when laying out walkways in neighborhoods, campuses, and commercial spaces.
That smooth walk to the store? It wasn’t an accident. It was engineered.
The Storm That Didn’t Flood Your Street
Stormwater management is one of the most critical and invisible aspects of engineering. The grading of your neighborhood, the storm drains on the corners, and even the placement of trees and landscaping features all play a role in preventing flash floods or street pooling.
Engineers model worst-case weather scenarios and design systems to keep runoff moving safely away from homes and roadways. When a big storm rolls through and things stay dry, that’s the result of good planning.
The Parking Lot That Works
Have you ever pulled into a parking lot and felt like everything just… made sense? The layout was intuitive, the signage was clear, and you weren’t dodging puddles or potholes.
That’s civil and consulting engineering at work. The slope of the asphalt, the location of the curbs, the spacing of the lighting—all those details create a better experience and contribute to safety. Even the paint striping plays a role in reducing accidents and keeping things efficient.
The Building That Stayed Standing
Structural engineering is often only appreciated in hindsight, like after an earthquake, a windstorm, or even just decades of wear and tear. The skeleton of every building must carry its weight, resist shifting soils, and stand tall through the extremes of Utah’s seasons.
Whether it’s a commercial office, a school, or a historic retrofit, structural decisions affect not just the integrity of the building, but the safety of everyone inside it.
The Campus That Feels Inviting
Landscape architecture is about more than just where trees and bushes go. It’s about creating spaces that guide people intuitively, encourage interaction, and improve comfort. Shade, wind patterns, surface temperatures, and noise levels are all factored in when designing outdoor environments.
The result? Places that are welcoming, functional, and lasting, not just pretty on day one, but sustainable over time.
The Roof That Didn’t Leak This Winter
Roofing systems are unsung heroes of any structure. They must account for insulation, water drainage, snow load, and long-term UV exposure. Paving and roofing consultants help clients choose the right materials, schedule preventative maintenance, and time their upgrades wisely to get the most out of their investment.
That dry, temperature-controlled office space you work in? You can thank a good roofing plan.
The Chain Reaction of Good Engineering
Every engineered detail supports another. A well-drained site protects the foundation of a building. A structurally sound building allows landscape features to thrive nearby. A carefully graded surface ensures that people, cars, and water all move where they should. The whole system works together, and when it does, you don’t notice. That’s by design.
At McNeil Engineering, we’re proud to be part of the system behind the system. We help make Utah’s communities stronger, safer, and more connected—one project at a time.
