When a project supports both critical healthcare delivery and national service, the responsibility goes far beyond design. At Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, we used our engineering expertise to help create a long-awaited hospital.

The Fort Leonard Wood Hospital is a large-scale federal healthcare facility designed to support service members, their families, and the surrounding community for generations to come.

The project recently held its grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony – a moment that marked years of planning, coordination, and collaboration coming to life.

Engineering a mission-critical facility

The new Fort Leonard Wood Hospital is a modern, resilient healthcare campus designed to meet strict federal requirements while remaining fully operational alongside an existing medical facility during construction. We provided comprehensive site and civil engineering services, supporting the campus from early planning through construction administration.

Our team’s work included utilities coordination, stormwater management, access and circulation improvements, and infrastructure planning to support emergency operations and long-term performance. The site presented complex challenges, from demanding geotechnical conditions to the need for careful phasing and coordination—all addressed through close collaboration with the design-build team.

A collaborative effort from start to finish

From the earliest project layout through years of design and construction, the Fort Leonard Wood project required teamwork and collaboration to get the job done.

“This project was an incredibly rewarding experience for the entire Olsson team,” said Ricky Haase, senior team leader. “From helping establish the initial project layout, to designing the facility as COVID first swept the nation, and supporting construction administration over the course of six years, every phase of this effort reflected a commitment to the mission.”

That sense of purpose was especially evident during the grand opening, when the impact of the work became tangible.

“Seeing that commitment come to life during the ribbon-cutting ceremony, filled with optimism and hope for the future, was truly meaningful,” Haase added. “Knowing our work helps support the brave men and women who sacrifice so much to keep our nation safe and free made every challenge worthwhile.”

Design manager, Trevor Drake is also proud of the long-term legacy that the facility will provide.

“As we listened to the key personnel who will be utilizing the completed hospital during the ribbon-cutting ceremony, it brought me immense satisfaction knowing that the countless hours our Olsson team devoted to planning, designing, and coordinating will leave such a lasting legacy within the community,” Trevor said. “I’m grateful to have been a part of a project that will continue to serve and improve the community long after my career is over.”

As the facility begins its next chapter serving patients and providers, we are proud to have played a role in creating a campus designed to support care, resilience, and readiness – today and well into the future.