Business
Garney expands into Pacific Northwest with acquisition of Emery & Sons
Garney has acquired Oregon-based Emery & Sons Construction Group, establishing a permanent Pacific Northwest presence and expanding its national water, wastewater and underground utility platform. The deal adds nearly six decades of regional experience in heavy civil and municipal infrastructure as Garney continues scaling its $2 billion construction portfolio.
Strategic merger unites Mi-Tech and J.D. Hair, strengthening trenchless infrastructure delivery
Mi-Tech and J.D. Hair & Associates have merged to deliver a deeper bench in trenchless and HDD engineering, backed by geotechnical labs, surveying, and construction services. With all employees retained, clients should see seamless support for pipeline replacement, sewer rehabilitation, and alternative delivery projects starting immediately.
UI Business People: Leadership moves and industry appointments
UI People highlights recent leadership appointments, executive transitions, and industry recognition across the underground infrastructure, utilities, and trenchless sectors.
UI Business News: Equipment dealers, partnerships and expansions
UI Business News highlights recent dealer acquisitions, equipment expansions, industry partnerships and technology agreements shaping the underground infrastructure and construction equipment markets.
Centuri lands nearly $500 million in new North American utility and pipeline contracts
Centuri has secured nearly $500 million in new electric, gas and telecom infrastructure awards across North America, pushing its 2025 bookings above $4.3 billion. The new contracts include major gas distribution, pipeline replacement and substation upgrade projects in the U.S. and Canada.
Toro completes $279 million acquisition of Tornado Infrastructure Equipment
The Toro Company has completed its acquisition of hydrovac equipment manufacturer Tornado Infrastructure Equipment, expanding its underground construction and vacuum excavation portfolio.
Strategic investment positions United Flow Technologies for expanded role in water infrastructure market
United Flow Technologies has received a strategic growth investment from Berkshire Partners, strengthening its nationwide water and wastewater infrastructure platform. The partnership will support expanded services, deeper technical capabilities, and continued investment in mission-critical municipal systems.
Eagle Merchant Partners invests in Atlantic Pipe Services to expand water infrastructure rehabilitation
Eagle Merchant Partners has made a strategic investment in Atlantic Pipe Services, one of Florida’s largest stormwater and wastewater inspection and rehabilitation providers. The partnership will support APS’ expansion, equipment investments and acquisitions as demand for water infrastructure maintenance grows statewide.
HDD Reunion to celebrate pioneers at 2026 Hall of Fame induction in San Antonio
The 2026 HDD Reunion will be held Jan. 28 at the Underground Infrastructure Conference in San Antonio, featuring the formal induction of the HDD Hall of Fame class and a panel discussion with industry pioneers celebrating decades of innovation in horizontal directional drilling.
UI Awards 2026 finalists announced, winners to be honored at UIC in San Antonio
Underground Infrastructure has named the 2026 UI Awards finalists across HDD, water, sewer, asset management and fiber, with MVP + UI Honors to be presented at the Underground Infrastructure Conference in San Antonio.
Jacobs sees robust infrastructure pipeline after posting strong FY25 earnings
Jacobs closed fiscal 2025 with strong revenue growth, rising margins, and a record $23.1 billion backlog driven by demand across water, energy, transportation and advanced facilities markets. The company expects continued infrastructure momentum into 2026, with higher earnings and free cash flow on the horizon.
Metro Communications to acquire Clearwave Fiber’s Southern Illinois network
Metro Communications has agreed to acquire Clearwave Fiber’s Southern Illinois network, expanding its regional footprint with more than 250,000 locations as part of a growing fiber-to-the-home and enterprise broadband portfolio.
Private equity backs trenchless rehabilitation firm in major infrastructure move
HCAP Partners has invested in Georgia-based Federal EC to expand its trenchless rehabilitation and underground utility services, supporting Crescent Peak and FVLCRUM’s acquisition and growth plans.
UIC 2026 to feature new technical sessions, awards and HDD reunion in San Antonio
The event features new educational sessions, hands-on exhibits, the combined MVP + UI Honors Awards, and the annual HDD Reunion, bringing together industry leaders, engineers, and contractors for two focused days of learning and networking. Registration is open now at UI-Conference.com.
Azuria expands rehab services with Atlantic Coast Contractors acquisition
Azuria Water Solutions has acquired North Carolina-based Atlantic Coast Contractors, a trenchless pipeline rehabilitation firm specializing in CIPP, slip lining, and water main replacement. The deal expands Azuria’s Southeast presence and strengthens its rehab service network.
Underground Infrastructure unveils 2026 MVP and UI Awards finalists
Underground Infrastructure magazine has announced finalists for the 2026 MVP and UI Awards, including the 30th anniversary of the Most Valuable Professional Award. Winners will be honored at the Underground Infrastructure Conference in San Antonio.
Underground infrastructure leaders take on new roles across the industry
The latest Underground Infrastructure business people roundup highlights key leadership appointments, promotions, and achievements across the underground construction and water sectors, including Carollo Engineers, McElroy, PipeSense, Primoris, Fortiline, and DP Nicoli.
Infrastructure business roundup: New deals, leadership changes and technology updates
The latest Underground Infrastructure business roundup features major acquisitions, leadership transitions, and new initiatives from companies including Ditch Witch, VisuSewer, ADS and others shaping the underground construction industry.
Primoris names Koti Vadlamudi as President and CEO to lead next phase of infrastructure growth
Primoris Services Corporation has appointed industry veteran Koti Vadlamudi as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective November 10, 2025. Vadlamudi brings over 30 years of global experience from Jacobs, where he led operations across energy, infrastructure, and mission-critical markets. He succeeds Interim CEO David King, who will continue as Chairman of the Board.
CenterPoint reaches $2.62 billion deal to sell Ohio natural gas distribution system
CenterPoint Energy has announced the $2.62 billion sale of its Ohio natural gas distribution business to National Fuel Gas Company. The deal includes 5,900 miles of transmission and distribution pipelines serving 335,000 customers and is expected to close in 2026, pending regulatory approvals.
Zachry expands into water infrastructure with acquisition of Crescent Constructors
Zachry Construction Corporation has agreed to acquire Plano-based Crescent Constructors, expanding its footprint in the water and wastewater infrastructure sector and strengthening its presence in one of the industry’s fastest-growing markets.
Centuri names Ryan Palazzo president of U.S. gas division
Centuri Holdings, Inc. has appointed Ryan Palazzo as President of U.S. Gas, where he will oversee the company’s gas infrastructure operations. The U.S. Gas segment represents roughly half of Centuri’s total revenue and plays a key role in supporting the nation’s expanding energy infrastructure.
Vortex expands pipeline rehab capabilities with PrimeLine acquisition
Vortex Companies has acquired PrimeLine Products to expand its small-diameter trenchless pipe rehabilitation solutions and strengthen customer support nationwide.
Ditch Witch expands vac excavation portfolio with Tornado Infrastructure acquisition
Ditch Witch parent company Toro will acquire Tornado Infrastructure Equipment, expanding its hydrovac and vacuum excavation offerings for underground projects.
VisuSewer expands into Mid-Atlantic with MOR Construction acquisition
VisuSewer has acquired MOR Construction Services, expanding its wastewater and utility infrastructure presence into Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey. The deal strengthens VisuSewer’s Mid-Atlantic footprint and adds regional expertise to its growing national network.
Comcast expands fiber broadband rollout with Harmonic technology
Comcast is expanding its fiber broadband network with Harmonic’s cOS platform, enabling multi-gigabit speeds, low latency, and cost-effective rollouts, including in rural communities through BEAD projects.
Denver to host 26th Utility Investigation School in December
The 26th Utility Investigation School will take place Dec. 8–12, 2025, in Denver, offering subsurface utility engineering training with hands-on fieldwork and professional development credits.
Excavation industry mourns loss of NAXSA founder and trench safety pioneer Dave Nicoli
The excavation industry is mourning the loss of Dave Nicoli, CEO of DP Nicoli and founding member of NAXSA, who passed away at age 70. Remembered as a pioneer in trench safety and shoring, Nicoli leaves behind a legacy of leadership, innovation, and a commitment to saving lives through safer excavation practices.
Blue Owl takes majority stake in Dallas-based Gigabit Fiber to fuel network expansion
Blue Owl Capital has taken a majority stake in Dallas-based Gigabit Fiber to accelerate its fiber network expansion across Texas and New Mexico, targeting data center and AI-driven demand.
Shenandoah acquires Nu-Pipe, expanding trenchless expertise across Southeast U.S.
Shenandoah, a leading provider of underground infrastructure services and a portfolio company of GenNx360 Capital Partners, has acquired Nu-Pipe LLC, strengthening its trenchless pipe rehabilitation capabilities across the Southeast.
- Fatal trench collapse halts sewer construction in Massachusetts; two workers hospitalized
- Alaska LNG pipeline could require 7,000 workers at peak construction, developers say
- Ohio trench collapse kills one worker, injures two during pipe installation
- Elon Musk's Boring Co. fined for dumping drilling waste into Vegas sewer system
- $1.4 billion Midwest pipeline expansion to move more Canadian oil to U.S. Gulf
- Glenfarne Alaska LNG targets late-2026 construction start for 807-mile pipeline project
- Fatal trench collapse halts sewer construction in Massachusetts; two workers hospitalized
- Massive water line failure leaves majority of Waterbury without service
- Infrastructure failure releases 100,000 gallons of wastewater in Houston; repairs ongoing
- Pennsylvania American Water launches interactive map to identify, replace lead water service lines