June 2022 Vol. 77 No. 6
Editor's Log
I think it’s safe to say that most people in the underground utility and pipeline industry entered 2022 hoping for a strong rebound and return to a much sought-after normal year. Ironically, 2022 has proven to be a year beset by bizarre challenges, yet still sugar-coated with financial windfalls.
Business
Volvo Tailors Support for Customers’ Carbon Reduction Goals, Investment in Sewer AI Spurs Next Generation of Water Infrastructure Diagnostics, John Deere Unveils 2022 “Own It” Program and more.
Washington Watch
After more than a decade of considering whether pipelines should install automatic shut-off valves, PHMSA issued a final rule, although it fell short of what the National Transportation Safety Board wanted to see.
Features
Across North America, population booms are putting pressure on the capacity limitations of aging municipal wastewater treatment plants.
Power & Communication Contractors Association (PCCA) Chairman Bob Breeden, ElectriCom, Inc., looked around the crowded ballroom at the opening session of the 77th Annual PCCA Convention, smiled, and thanked members for showing up in such strong numbers: 405 total and 250 primary attendees, more first-timers than ever before, and a record number of sponsors.
Directional Drilling
While never a simple market, the past two years have seen the complexity of horizontal directional drilling (HDD) reach new levels, due to both anticipated and unexpected problems.
Last winter, in bitterly cold temperatures and snowy conditions, Ellingson Contracting Inc. (ECI) completed a difficult, 4,075-foot-long horizontal directional drill (HDD) intersect crossing of a swampy area in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, to install 30-inch diameter steel pipe.
Rehab Technology
The Town of Wingate, N.C. Public Works Director Eugene Jones noticed two pump stations were running on average of four hours every day. However, during rain events, the pump stations would run up to 35 hours straight. After further inspection, Jones found that infiltration and inflow (I&I) was the cause of the long run times.
SAERTEX multiCom Opens New Production Facility and Hobas Launches $60-Million Capital Investment Program.
New Products
- PHMSA warns of heat risks in aging plastic gas distribution pipelines following deadly Pennsylvania explosion
- OSHA seeks $1.2 million fine after fatal trench collapse in Connecticut
- Phase 1 Alaska LNG pipeline advances with construction awards, pipe supply agreements
- OSHA issues 16 citations following fatal sewer confined space incident
- Gateway Tunnel construction faces shutdown next week as Trump withholds federal funding
- T-Mobile to expand fiber broadband infrastructure footprint with $4.9 billion Metronet acquisition
- First tunnel boring machines complete testing for Hudson Tunnel Project
- NWPX grows water infrastructure portfolio with Colorado precast facility
- Cityside launches $100 million fiber build in Corona, Calif.
- FiberLight to build 1,400-mile West Texas dark fiber network in $350 million expansion