Stamp of approval: Michael Baker Jr. Corp. makes its mark on buildings, roads and even coins.

• Author: Grenn, Ben
• Position: BUILDING ALASKA - Company overview

How many engineering companies can you name that have their work stamped on a U.S. coin?

Give up? The answer is two.

In 2005, the corporation of Michael Baker Jr. Inc. was selected to have its design of a bridge minted on a commemorative quarter of West Virginia. The other structure to be depicted on a coin is the famous Gateway Arch portrayed on the Missouri quarter.

"Not many businesses can say that they have their work displayed on any money," said Executive Vice President and CEO David Greenwood, from its Michael Baker headquarters in the Pittsburgh suburb of Moon Township, Pa. "We're very proud that they (West Virginia) chose to honor our company with such a prestigious place in history."

Greenwood has 35 years invested with the engineering firm.

The bridge that graces the commemorative 25 cent collector's item is not just your ordinary everyday run-of-the-mill structure. The New River Gorge Bridge is the second highest of its kind in the U.S., which stands at 875 feet above water level. It is also the second longest steel arch span in the world at 1,700 feet.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

The engineering firm, founded by his namesake, Michael Baker Jr. Inc., in 1940 in Rochester, Pa., is in its seventh decade of business and is celebrating its 65th anniversary of operating in Alaska.

The national company also can be equally proud of its accomplishments, roots and feats in the 49th state.

"Baker men and women logged more than 3.2 million manhours of work on the design and construction of the trans-Alaska oil pipeline system, said Jeff Baker, P.E., (no relation), assistant vice president for Alaska operations. "We designed the pipeline, roads, pump stations, airstrips and pipeline bridges. We have continued to work with Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. on the pipeline maintenance and repair projects."

"Baker is proud of its accomplishments in the development of Alaska," Baker said.

The company designed the Fairbanks International Airport nearly 60 years ago and it also designed and engineered the Tok Road in 1959.

The company's handprints also can be seen as part of the survey, design, construction management, and quality-control inspection from the Yukon River to Prudhoe Bay Highway (now the Dalton Highway). Using 30 million yards of gravel and fill, the road was constructed in 154 days. It was the first all-weather road along the oil pipeline and was critical in its construction.

"Some of the same businesses and entities that started with us from the...