Magazine
Washington Watch: Will Senate remove infrastructure roadblocks?
Two House-passed permitting reform bills targeting NEPA reviews and Clean Water Act pipeline approvals now face a pivotal test in the Senate, where bipartisan negotiations could determine the future of federal infrastructure and energy project timelines.
New products for underground utility and construction work
From next-gen hydrovac trucks and midsize excavators to MASH-tested work-zone barriers and field-friendly undercarriage solutions, our latest new products spotlight highlights equipment innovations designed to improve underground utility productivity, safety and uptime.
New rehab tech targets sewer inspection and pipeline repair
New rehab technologies are pushing pipeline inspection and trenchless repair forward. In this month’s Rehab News, Aries Industries introduces a new lateral inspection system, while Vortex Companies advances CIPP liner technology and launches a new family of infrastructure grouts.
UI Editor-in-Chief inducted into HDD Hall of Fame at UIC 2026
Robert Carpenter, Editor-in-Chief of Underground Infrastructure, was inducted into the HDD Hall of Fame at UIC 2026 in San Antonio, honoring decades of leadership and influence in the HDD industry.
Digital asset management tools target $39 billion in global non-revenue water losses
Advanced technologies including AI, digital twins, AMI and GIS are helping utilities reduce non-revenue water, improve leak detection and optimize hydraulic efficiency, according to a Xylem Vue report on water technology trends.
Inside Infrastructure: Significant recent action means future of permit reform lies in the Senate
Permitting reform is gaining momentum after the House advanced the SPEED Act and PERMIT Act, while EPA proposes updates to Clean Water Act Section 401 — leaving the Senate as the next major hurdle for changes affecting pipeline, broadband and water infrastructure projects.
Dominican Republic, Jamaica lead Caribbean water infrastructure investment push
Caribbean nations including the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Jamaica are planning major water and wastewater infrastructure investments to address aging systems, drought pressures and growing potable water demand.
Municipal sewer and water spending projected to reach $26.9 billion in 2026
UI’s 29th Annual Municipal Sewer/Water Infrastructure Forecast projects $26.9 billion in 2026 spending as federal Infrastructure Bill funding winds down and cities continue aggressive project design and release plans.
2026 Underground Infrastructure Conference overcomes winter storm disruptions
Despite a powerful winter storm disrupting travel nationwide, the 2026 Underground Infrastructure Conference in San Antonio delivered strong attendance, packed sessions and major industry honors.
Business: Latest industry news
John Deere Deere & Company entered into an agreement to acquire Tenna, a construction technology company, and a holding of The Conti Group, which offers mixed-fleet equipment operations and asset tracking solutions. Based in New Hope, Pa., Tenna offers an integrated construction technology platf..
Fiber construction market looks very strong through 2030
Michael C. Render, RVA LLC According to research conducted by RVA for the Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) and data from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), 2025 marked a record year for fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) deployment. During this period, 11.8 million additional homes were passed an..
Canada plans active building of underground transmission infrastructure
Canada is accelerating plans to expand underground transmission infrastructure as utilities modernize aging grids, harden systems against extreme weather and prepare for rising urban electricity demand.
New products for underground utility and construction work
UI’s January New Products highlights new equipment and tools from Vermeer, Komatsu and General Machine Products, including a mobile equipment management app, a multifunction excavator and a fiber blowing workstation.
Raising QA/QC standards for in-building CIPP projects
Improving QA/QC documentation for in-building CIPP projects is becoming an industry expectation, helping contractors reduce risk, improve transparency and strengthen client confidence.
Dual-threat approach conquers West Texas pipeline challenge
A West Texas pipeline project for Kinetik highlights how 2 Stone Industries combined trenching and HDD methods to complete a 44-mile NGL pipeline under a tight construction timeline.
Underground cables market to hit $55.1 billion by 2033
The global underground cables market is projected to grow from $32.5 billion in 2024 to $55.1 billion by 2033, driven by urbanization, power reliability needs, and rising demand for resilient energy infrastructure.
2026 outlook bright for utility and communications construction markets
Utility and communications construction markets are heading into 2026 with strong momentum, driven by data center growth, rising power demand, grid investment and continued water and pipeline infrastructure work.
2026 underground infrastructure markets: from lukewarm pipelines to white-hot fiber
A look ahead at 2026 underground infrastructure markets shows uneven momentum — from lukewarm oil pipelines to booming fiber, power grid expansion, and rising natural gas demand driven by data centers and federal broadband funding.
Inside Sempra’s 72-mile pipeline with 18 major trenchless crossings
Sempra Infrastructure’s Port Arthur Pipeline Louisiana Connector Project includes 72 miles of 42-inch pipeline and 18 trenchless crossings totaling more than 57,000 feet, making it one of the most complex HDD projects in the region.
AUI scales underground fiber builds with repeatable HDD workflow
Always Underground Inc. is using a repeatable HDD-driven workflow to deliver large-scale underground fiber networks across multiple FiberCity markets, keeping crews productive and projects on schedule.
UIC 2026: Moving your business forward starts here
The infrastructure problems you're facing today didn't exist five years ago. And the ones coming next year? You can't solve them with last decade's playbook. UIC 2026 exists to close that gap – two concentrated days where you get ahead of the curve instead of scrambling to catch up.
Newsline: Latest industry developments
Underground Infrastructure's latest news roundup spans major developments across power, pipelines, water and safety — from Dominion Energy’s proposal for a 186-mile underground HVDC transmission line in Virginia to early federal clearance for the 800-mile Alaska LNG pipeline.
Underground Infrastructure Awards 2026 honor MVP, top projects
The Underground Infrastructure Awards 2026 will recognize the industry’s MVP and top water, sewer, fiber and trenchless projects during the UIC conference in San Antonio.
ASTM F1216 updates reshape pressure pipe design for CIPP rehabilitation
Recent revisions to ASTM F1216 update how cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) liners are designed for pressure applications, correcting long-standing assumptions around hole spanning, internal pressure resistance, and groundwater loading.
Why sewer and water markets enter 2026 cautiously optimistic
As federal infrastructure funding winds down, sewer and water markets enter 2026 with cautious optimism, driven by years of underinvestment, ongoing EPA programs, and record local spending.
Washington Watch: Chances are good for new pipeline safety bill
Momentum is building on Capitol Hill for the next federal pipeline safety reauthorization. With bipartisan bills advancing in both the House and Senate, lawmakers appear poised to move a largely consensus-driven package that updates One-Call programs, damage prevention grants and long-delayed PHMSA rulemakings.
SAWS’ Jeff Habey to be honored as 2026 MVP
Jeff Haby, senior vice president of production operations at San Antonio Water System, has been selected as the 2026 Most Valuable Professional for his leadership in delivering more than $1.2 billion in critical water and wastewater infrastructure improvements.
Two days that will change how you approach infrastructure projects
UIC 2026 is almost here. Two days. Real education. Real technology. Real industry leaders. Join us in San Antonio Jan. 27–28 to get ahead of the trends reshaping underground infrastructure.
Stopping hydrate plugs: How operators can pinpoint pipeline blockages and restore flow
Hydrate plugs can halt pipeline operations and raise safety risks. This guide explains how high-frequency pressure analytics and AI help operators locate obstructions quickly, target remediation, and cut downtime in midstream systems.
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.
- Inside Sempra’s 72-mile pipeline with 18 major trenchless crossings
- PHMSA warns of heat risks in aging plastic gas distribution pipelines following deadly Pennsylvania explosion
- Infrastructure failure releases 100,000 gallons of wastewater in Houston; repairs ongoing
- OSHA seeks $1.2 million fine after fatal trench collapse in Connecticut
- Phase 1 Alaska LNG pipeline advances with construction awards, pipe supply agreements
- T-Mobile to expand fiber broadband infrastructure footprint with $4.9 billion Metronet acquisition
- First tunnel boring machines complete testing for Hudson Tunnel Project
- Infrastructure failure releases 100,000 gallons of wastewater in Houston; repairs ongoing
- Construction jobs stumble into 2026 after weak year
- NWPX grows water infrastructure portfolio with Colorado precast facility