On Thursday, May 1, 2025, Team AET had the honor of being invited to the Minnesota Zoo, the fifth largest zoo in the United States, for an Engineering and Public Works Roadshow stop. The Engineering and Public Works Roadshow is a joint partnership of the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), the American Public Works Association (APWA), and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). It represents the first time America’s engineers and operators have come together to celebrate successful infrastructure investment projects.
This event, which was also livestreamed online, spotlighted the Treetop Trail, the world’s longest elevated pedestrian loop. Among the attendees were employee-owners Rob Olson, Brandon Newberger, Kelly Kabotoff, and CEO Dan Larson. Dan Larson, who was there representing ACEC as their incoming-chair-elect, proudly delivered a speech highlighting the Treetop Trail and the positive impact it has had and will continue to have on the zoo. He also emphasized the need for more engineers in the world and encouraged those considering their next chapter in life to explore this field, including the 10th-grade STEM students from Apple Valley High School who were in attendance.
The Treetop Trail is the world’s longest elevated walkway, and it offers visitors a fresh perspective on nature from up to 32 feet above the ground! It immerses them in hundreds of acres of forests and wetlands, providing a unique opportunity to observe diverse wildlife like never before.
"The TreeTop Trail project took something forgotten and turned it into something unforgettable."
AET played a pivotal role in bringing this extraordinary project to life. To transform the zoo’s retired monorail system into a 1.25-mile pedestrian walkway, our team provided essential construction observations, inspections, and testing services to ensure its quality and safety. The Treetop Trail boasts an impressive 14,000 welds, a true testament to the meticulous engineering and dedication involved in its creation.
Thanks to our contributions, we were honored with the Engineering and Public Works Excellence Award! You can learn more this Engineering and Public Works Roadshow stop by reading the following article: Minnesota Zoo’s Treetop Trail – Infrastructure Works.
