Shannon & Wilson, also known as S & W, is an American geotechnical engineering and environmental consultancy firm headquartered in Seattle, Washington founded in 1954. It was founded by William L. Shannon and Stanley D. Wilson (de), both of whom are alumni of Harvard University. The firm offers various geotechnical, geological, and environmental services ranging from natural resource management to geophysical surveying for public and private sectors. The company’s markets include dams and levees, design and construction, energy, federal, industrial, property development, transportation, wastewater management, and waterfront facilities. However, over half of their work is devoted to retrofitting and performing safety investigations on transportation projects.
Founding
The firm is a manifestation of a revolution in civil engineering as a result of the birth of geotechnical engineering, which became a new field by the mid 20th century. Radically new concepts were taking shape in soil and rock mechanics pioneered by Professor Arthur Casagrande, a leading figure in geotechnical engineering, who encouraged Shannon and Wilson to form a partnership. The professor and his colleagues, including the founders of the firm, were in the process of establishing the foundation of what later came to be known as geotechnical engineering.
Staff
In 1998, the firm peaked at 130 employees. However, with the introduction of the tax-cutting Initiative 695 and the recession after that, both of which slashed transportation funding, the number of employees was reduced to 90 and has never exceeded 100 staff for several years. However, the company has since grown to more than 300 employees in 11 offices nationwide.
Events
Expansion
Although headquartered in Seattle, the firm has offices based in Richland, Portland, St. Louis, Fairbanks, Anchorage and Denver. The Denver office opened around 2000 to work on a nearby revamp of Interstate 25.
Lawsuits
In 2002, Shannon & Wilson became involved in a lawsuit as a result of property damage initiated by landslides in a residential area on Perkins Lane on top of Magnolia Hill. The court ended up ruling in favor of Shannon & Wilson however.
Recognition
For more than half a century, Shannon & Wilson has played a major role in the design and construction of renowned public and private projects in the Puget Sound region. In recognition of their achievements, each year Shannon & Wilson sponsors the Stanley D. Wilson Memorial Lecture at the University of Washington, the Stanley D. Wilson Fellowship at the University of Illinois, and the William L. Shannon Endowed Fellowship at the University of Washington.
Services
Geotechnical Engineering
Contamination / Remediation
Geologic Hazards
Natural Resources
Water Resources
Design-Build
Tunneling / Underground
Arctic Engineering
Construction Management
Notable projects
SR 520 Floating Bridge
Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement tunnel
Link light rail
Tacoma Narrows Bridge
Seahawks Stadium
Seattle Center Monorail
U.S. Courthouse, Seattle
Lower Meramec River Wastewater Treatment Plant
Baumgartner Tunnel
Boston's Central Artery
Third Harbor Tunnel
References
External links
https://trenchlesstechnology.com/shannon-wilson-announces-2017-promotions/
Services
Companies based in Seattle
Consulting firms established in 1954
1954 establishments in Washington (state) Geotechnical engineering companies Construction and civil engineering companies of the United States American companies established in 1954 Construction and civil engineering companies established in 1954