Hall of Distinction

Robert W. Vaughn

When a United States Congressman refers to a project in which you had a key role as "the most significant thing that has happened there since Daniel Boone began to bring settlers through the Gap," you know that as an engineer, you have made an impact.

Bobby Vaughn can proudly point to many successful projects completed by Vaughn & Melton Consulting Engineers of Middlesboro, Kentucky , the firm he and partner Lewis N. "Nick" Melton co-founded in 1967. But Middlesboro-area residents, as well as U.S. Representative Hal Rogers, who made the above statement, would likely rank the Cumberland Gap Tunnel, completed in 1996, at the top of the list. Vaughn & Melton played a central role in the project, which allows much easier and safer access to Middlesboro and the Cumberland Gap area, including northeastern Tennessee and southwestern Virginia , as well as southeastern Kentucky . The maintenance and operation of the tunnel is managed by Tunnel Management Incorporated, a Vaughn & Melton subsidiary.

The American Road and Transportation Builders Association, as part of its 100 th anniversary, selected the top 100 projects for the last century - two from each state. The Kentucky selections were the state's parkway system and the Cumberland Gap Tunnel, for which Vaughn & Melton provided design, surveying, construction engineering and inspection services.

Mr. Vaughn got an early start on his engineering career, gaining valuable experience as a student.

A 1958 graduate of Hazard High School , he entered the University of Kentucky on a Kentucky Department of Highways scholarship. During summers, and following his graduation with a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering in 1963, Mr. Vaughn worked with the Department of Highways in construction, design and traffic.