09/24/2026
Throughout the 1990s, the engineering landscape continued to evolve amid rapid technological changes.
Professional engineers and surveyors adapted to new tools and rising expectations as digital design and project management software reshaped industry standards. The passage of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) in 1991 marked a pivotal change, redefining federal transportation priorities through its emphasis on context-sensitive design, multimodal planning, and community engagement. As the interstate system aged, transportation engineers focused on rehabilitation, reconstruction, and optimization of highways rather than expansion. Environmental compliance and designs that worked with the natural landscape became more common.
Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) were starting to emerge including traffic cameras, coordinated signals, and electronic signage. Although DGL had offered traffic engineering services since the early 1940s, the 1990s was the decade that solidified DGL as a traffic and safety leader in the region.
Notable large-scale transportation projects included the ALL/HAN/WYA-30/30/30 Preliminary Alternatives Study led by Gary Long. This study was 30 miles long and helped create the US 30 corridor between Beaverdam and Upper Sandusky. Rick McGuckin was the designer of the CR 99 – I-75 Connector just north of Findlay. This project was born from the development of warehousing for Best Buy, Kohl’s, Lowe’s, and others that needed reliable access to I-75. Laurie Adams led widening projects in Sylvania, on McCord Road, Brint Road, and Sylvania Avenue . Scot Morehouse was the project manager for the Millard Avenue bridge project in Toledo.
This was also the decade when our firm expanded our construction administration and inspection (CA&I) services. 1997 marked our first large scale CA&I project – a segment of the 3rd lane widening for the Ohio Turnpike Commission.
From a leadership standpoint, the 1990s was a decade of owner transition. In 1994, Ken Ducat and Scot Morehouse became partners with Ben Dansard’s retirement. Rick McGuckin and Laurie Adams followed in 1999 with Russ Grohnke’s retirement. Both Ben and Russ remained with the firm for several years following their respective retirements to offer guidance and expertise to the new partners.
Some of our most prominent works from the 1990s include:
University of Toledo - Center for the Visual Arts
Ohio Turnpike Commission - 3rd lane widening projects
ODOT – 3rd lane widening projects for I-75
Hancock County Engineer - CR 95/I-75 Connector
ODOT - WOO/SAN-20 Interchange
ODOT - ALL/HAN/WYA-30/30/30
France Stone Quarry - Centennial Road bridge, Sylvania Twp
City of Toledo Riverwalk Phase 2 – Site and survey – The Collaborative
Our history from 1926 through the 1970s is available on our website: https://www.dgl-ltd.com/our-story
