February 2025 Vol. 80 No. 2
Newsline
Newsline: Latest industry developments
Trench collapse kills one construction worker in Houston
A construction worker was killed Wednesday, Feb. 5 after an eight-foot-deep trench he was working in collapsed in southwest Houston, according to ABC13 Eyewitness News and the Houston Fire Department (HFD).
Houston fire crews responded to the trench collapse at about 1:52 p.m. Wednesday at the Stoneriver Apartments on 8901 Bissonnet Street. According to fire officials, the trench is approximately 8 feet deep. When HFD arrived, they found construction crews performing CPR on the injured crew member.
Witnesses told law enforcement that two construction crew employees were inside the trench when the collapse happened. Authorities say one man was able to escape while the other was not.
Officials pronounced one of the construction workers dead at around 2 p.m. An investigation is ongoing.
Governor pushes major water infrastructure investment for Texas
Texas Governor Greg Abbott is prioritizing water infrastructure investment as an emergency item, aiming to secure the state's water supply for future growth. With population and business expansion putting pressure on resources, Abbott is working with the Texas Legislature to fund projects that improve water access and efficiency.
The state has already committed over $13 billion in low or no-interest loans for water infrastructure through the State Water Infrastructure for Texas (SWIFT) program. An additional $1 billion has been allocated to maintain and expand water systems, along with the creation of the New Water Supply for Texas fund to explore innovative solutions.
Despite these efforts, many Texas communities still face water shortages, with aging infrastructure and insufficient resources affecting agriculture in the Rio Grande Valley and West Texas. Abbott’s plan includes:
- The largest one-time investment in Texas water infrastructure, plus $1 billion annually for a decade to repair pipelines and expand supply.
- Funding for desalination and water transfer projects to move resources from water-rich areas to those in need.
- Support for rural communities to maintain existing water systems.
- A dedicated long-term funding stream to sustain critical water infrastructure.
Eversource constructing U.S. largest underground electrical substation
Eversource has broken ground on the Greater Cambridge Energy Program (GCEP), a major transmission initiative designed to address rising electricity demand while enhancing grid resilience. The project includes the nation’s largest underground substation, spanning 35,000 square feet and located 105 feet below a new public green space in Cambridge.
The project also includes eight new 115 kV underground transmission lines spanning 8.3 miles through Cambridge, Somerville, and Boston, along with upgrades to five substations in Cambridge, Somerville, and Allston/Brighton. In total, 48 new distribution lines will be added.
Eversource expects to begin putting parts of GCEP into service by 2029, starting with the substation and the first transmission line. The remaining transmission lines will be activated through 2031. The project is anticipated to support approximately 500 full-time jobs during construction.
Frontier-Kemper lands $1.2 billion contract to build Hudson Tunnel Project
The Gateway Development Commission (GDC) has awarded the contract for the Manhattan Tunnel Project to Frontier-Kemper-Tutor-Perini JV and authorized the notice to proceed with construction.
Construction of this portion of the Hudson Tunnel Project (HTP) is expected to begin in the coming months, with substantial completion anticipated in 2029. According to a preliminary estimate by EY, construction of the project will create 15,800 new jobs.
The Manhattan Tunnel Project will build the section of the new Hudson Tunnel Project tubes from the Manhattan Bulkhead in the Hudson River to the cut-and-cover Hudson Yards Concrete Casing east of 12th Avenue.
The project will also remove obstructions that could slow or damage the tunnel boring machines digging the portion of the tunnel passing under the Bulkhead and into Manhattan and will protect and support existing features, including the Bulkhead and sewer lines.
In total, the Manhattan Tunnel Project will require designing and building approximately 700 feet of twin 30-foot diameter tunnels, and will complex tunneling activities, including navigating multiple major sewer lines and live utilities, the Manhattan Bulkhead, and any other obstructions that the team may encounter and need to remove.
HammerHead acquires ProKASRO, expanding trenchless repair services
HammerHead Trenchless has acquired the assets of ProKASRO Services USA, the distributor of ProKASRO Mechatronik GmbH and market leader of robotic solutions and rehabilitation equipment for repairing underground water and wastewater infrastructure. The deal expands HammerHead's product offering for the rehabilitation and replacement of lateral and mainline underground infrastructure. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
ProKASRO Services USA is known for its industry-leading robotics, UV pipe lining solutions and lateral rehabilitation technologies. Based in Centennial, Colo., its expanded line of trenchless solutions will enable utility contractors the ability to rehabilitate underground wastewater and water pipelines without the need for digging or disruption to outdoor environments.
“We are excited to announce the acquisition of ProKASRO Services USA,” said Jeff Gabrielse, general manager of HammerHead Trenchless. “This acquisition aligns with our strategic growth initiatives and helps expand our business into new markets with the leading technologies and brand reputation of ProKASRO. With the addition to the HammerHead Trenchless portfolio, we believe we are best positioned to offer a full suite of trenchless pipe rehabilitation and replacement products for contractors from laterals to mainlines in both the CIPP and pipe bursting markets.”
Through this acquisition, HammerHead Trenchless will market these products under the ProKASRO USA brand name and serve the U.S. market with continued operations in Colorado.
Bloomington, Minn., adopts sewer fee to support infrastructure upgrades
Bloomington’s growing redevelopment has pushed parts of the city’s sanitary sewer system to capacity, prompting the need for $55 million in upgrades by 2040.
After gathering input from stakeholders and residents throughout 2024, the City Council approved a funding plan that includes fees on new development and future utility rate adjustments.
The council adopted an ordinance establishing a City Sewer Availability Charge (City SAC Fee) of $2,026 per unit for all new building permit applications submitted after Jan. 1, 2025. The fee aligns with similar charges in other cities and is permitted under state law.
The council also directed staff to explore possible SAC Fee exemptions and alternative funding sources in early 2025.
Precision Pipeline, MPE form DIG parent company to grow utility offering in Midwest
Precision Pipeline Services, a portfolio company of private equity firm MPE Partners (MPE) announced today the formation of parent company, Delphi Infrastructure Group (DIG), to acquire leading utility services companies.
DIG represents the new trademark of the Precision Pipeline Services, Sabcon Underground and Allegheny Contracting operating entities that were previously acquired by MPE in 2023 and 2024. The business operations of these operating entities will not change as a result of this reorganization.
DIG, led by Chief Executive Officer Mark Crowson, has been formed to provide flexibility for future acquisitions of high performing and complementary utility contractors across natural gas distribution and electrical distribution and substation end markets.
Jacobs helps modernize Virginia’s Alexandria sewer system
Jacobs is partnering with AlexRenew, the wastewater treatment authority serving Alexandria and parts of Fairfax County, VA., to help transform the city's sewer infrastructure through the RiverRenew project. The initiative aims to modernize the combined sewer overflow (CSO) system, reducing pollution and improving water quality for local communities.
As the design consultant for RiverRenew, Jacobs is responsible for providing technical leadership and delivering the design for a new, state-of-the-art system that will prevent millions of gallons of sewage from entering the Potomac River, Hunting Creek and Hooffs Run during heavy rainfall.
The current combined sewer system in Alexandria combines rainwater and sewage in one system. During dry weather, wastewater flows smoothly to AlexRenew’s treatment facility. However, during heavy rain, the system often exceeds capacity, resulting in combined sewer overflows that discharge untreated wastewater into local waterways.
To address these issues, the RiverRenew project involves the construction of a 2-mile-long, 12-foot diameter tunnel, along with two drop shafts, a deep pump station, and other infrastructure upgrades. The project also includes new building facilities at AlexRenew’s site. In March 2024, the project reached a key milestone when a tunnel boring machine, named Hazel, successfully broke through, excavating and constructing the tunnel.
Smuggling tunnel equipped with ventilation discovered in El Paso storm drain system
U.S. Border Patrol agents, in collaboration with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), uncovered a sophisticated man-made tunnel on Jan. 9 that connected Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, to the El Paso, Texas, storm drain system.
The tunnel, concealed by a metal plate over a 36-by-36-inch entry hole, was discovered during an inspection conducted by the El Paso Station Confined Space Entry Team (CSET). Measuring approximately six feet tall and four feet wide, the structure featured lighting, a ventilation system and wooden beams for reinforcement.
The investigation into the tunnel is ongoing, with multiple agencies involved, including HSI, the FBI, El Paso CBP Office of Field Operations, the El Paso Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Mexican government. Officials are coordinating remediation efforts to secure and close the tunnel.
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