History

Mackin is a snapshot of the American Dream.

Ody Mackin, an Italian immigrant who fought in WWII, had a big dream. Made possible by the GI Bill, Ody attended Carnegie Tech (now known as Carnegie Mellon University) upon returning from the war. After a decade of learning from a large engineering firm, Ody resigned to open his own small offering of services, consisting of survey and civil engineering, in 1960.

Today, Ody’s small group has grown to a multi-disciplinary firm with a strong team of ambitious professionals looking to make an impact. Throughout the years, our firm has worked alongside many prestigious public and private sector clients, including PennDOT and the Pennsylvania Turnpike. We pride ourselves on building relationships that last.

Mackin was built around quality, and this continues to guide our leadership and staff, who serve our clients to the best of their abilities.

1960s

You could buy a Ford Mustang for $2,368 and fill it up for 25 cents per gallon

Computer language BASIC was introduced

1960's at Mackin

  • The Mackin Engineering Company was founded by Italo V. Mackin
  • Surveying was the first service offered, followed by highways, bridge design, and land development
  • Clients included RIDC, City of Pittsburgh, and PennDOT

1970's at Mackin

  • Pittsburgh’s Iconic Smithfield Street Bridge in PennDOT District 11-0
  • Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission awarded Mackin design of Jacob’s CreekClimbing Lane Widening (MP 80-87)
  • Construction Inspection department established upon being awarded CI for Jacob’s Creek Climbing Lanes
  • Design of three major RIDC Industrial Parks: O’Hara, Thorn Hill, and Park West

1970s

The speed limit on US highways dropped to 55mph

Sending a letter to let someone would only have cost you 6 cents per stamp

1980s

A phone could double as a two-pound weight

Seatbelts were required by law in 1984

Time Magazine’s “Machine of the Year” awarded to IBM for their “Personal Computer”

Uncle Phil from The Fresh Prince was the voice of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’s Shredder

1980's at Mackin

  • Mackin’s Headquarters relocated to Foster Plaza in 1984, then RIDC Park West in 1989
  • Mackin history of quality with NBIS bridge inspections began in 1985
  • I-279/579 Interchange in PennDOT District 11-0
  • PTC Mainline Widening – Philadelphia area
  • Windgap Avenue Bridge, Allegheny County DPW
  • Eighth Street Bridge over the Allegheny River in PennDOT District 1-0

1990's at Mackin

  • The Harrisburg office was established in 1990
  • Mackin’s services expanded to include Planning, Landscape Architecture, and Traffic
  • SR-51 Widening and Interchange with the Mon/Fayette Expressway
  • Mon/Fayette EIS and Alternatives Study for PA Turnpike Commission
  • Smithfield Street Bridge inspection andRehabilitation in PennDOT District 11-0

1990s

You could walk into a McDonalds and leave with a pizza…

Anybody remember a bunch of weird noises followed by “You’ve Got Mail!”?

That weight we mentioned above had a new sidekick – the pager

150 million people played “The Snake Game” on the Nokia 3210

2000s

Everyone’s favorite TV show, The Office, aired March 24th, 2005

2000's at Mackin

  • Dean Mackin named CEO November of 2008
  • Southern Beltway, Section 55, awarded by PA Turnpike Commission
  • Statewide Bridge Quality Assurance contracts
  • Settlers Cabin Interchange for Allegheny County
  • SR-22 Section BO1 in District 12
    • Design to widen SR-22 from 3-lanes to 5 in Murrysville

2010's at Mackin

  • Mon/Fayette Section 51 G: construction completed
  • Southern Beltway, Section 55A
  • Mainline widening, MP 49-53, PTC
  • PTC bridges NB 237 and 238
  • Trafford Bridge in District 12 completed in 2013
  • Smithfield Bridge Preservation in District 11
  • New Stanton Interchange construction inspection: major project for reconstruction of I-70
  • Peters Township Rolling Hills Park
  • Bridge inspection: continued major structures, sign structures, and QA inspections; Awarded small bridge inspections for Allegheny County
  • Awarded in-depth inspection and rehabilitation of Turtle Creek Bridge number 13

2010s

Apple released it’s very first iPad

Instagram launched and hashtags began #nostalgia

The world beat the odds of the Mayan calendar, when in fact  December 21, 2012 was not the end of the world

The Ice Bucket Challenge went viral, raising over $100 million for ALS awareness

2020s

The decade began with the global COVID-19 pandemic, which drastically changed everyday life leading to lockdowns, remote work and learning, and virtual events.

2020's at Mackin

  • Office moved to Technology Drive
  • Dean Mackin retired in 2023 with Zach Olawski assuming the role of CEO
  • Tom Riester retired in 2020 and Steve Janosko assumed role of President