Features
Eliminating pipe obstructions with vibrating nozzles
In sanitary sewer and storm lines, scale, grout, mortar residue and mineral deposits as well as cementitious particulates can accumulate over time and harden to the pipe wall or floor.
Eagle Claw drill bit marks 20 years of innovation in HDD
The journey of horizontal directional drilling (HDD) from the oil and gas sector to the construction industry has been quite remarkable. Initially adopted with great success, HDD has seen significant improvements due to advancements in walk-over locating technology and steering capabilities in various ground conditions.
First look: Compact reclaimer introduced to HDD utility market
In response to the growing challenges faced by horizontal directional drilling (HDD) contractors, Vermeer has introduced the R125 reclaimer, a compact mud recycling system designed to support utility-sized drills.
Best practice of injection grouting in municipal sewers
Injection grouting is often recognized as the "original" trenchless technology of our industry. The first mainline pipe joints were sealed in 1962 in Cottonwood Falls, KS, and we have never looked back!
Buried Asset Management Congress opens registration
The 2024 Global Buried Asset Management Congress (GBAMC) will offer an exceptional platform for professionals across the underground infrastructure sector. Scheduled for Nov. 14-16, in the Omni Severin Hotel, Indianapolis, this event promises to deliver many industry highlights.
Platinum Contracting completes project for Summerlin west expansion
Platinum Contracting, a leading Las Vegas contractor specializing in heavy civil and underground utilities, has completed a large-scale underground infrastructure project in Summerlin. The installation supports the expansion of Southern Nevada’s largest master plan community, setting the foundation for several planned subdivisions.
22 Years of advancing research in underground infrastructure and trenchless technologies: CUIRE's commitment
It is hard to believe that 22 years have passed since the Center for Underground Infrastructure Research and Education (CUIRE) was established. In 2006, the first trenchless technology conference was held at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA).
5 ways to extend hydro excavator life
Construction season has arrived, and hydro excavators are a critical tool for unearthing utility lines without damaging them, trenching and various other applications. A high return on this machinery investment requires giving time and attention to proper care of your safe digging equipment.
First look: PipeSense uses pressure waves for leak detection
Pipelines, especially those that carry water, can be hundreds of miles long – so it may not always be simple to know for certain that a leak has occurred, let alone pinpoint the problem.
Inside infrastructure: Energy permitting reform legislation once again on the table
The need to update and improve the arduous process of obtaining the permits needed to get critical infrastructure projects off the ground is a longtime priority among supporters of American energy, especially advocates of infrastructure transporting fossil fuels.
Tennessee pipeline gets initial FERC approval despite environmental concerns
FERC has given a preliminary green light to East Tennessee Natural Gas to build 122 miles of 30-inch-diameter natural gas pipeline, providing about 300,000 dekatherms per day of firm natural gas transportation to the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Kingston Fossil Plant.
Washington Watch: Congress stalls on pipeline safety bill as PHMSA nears key rule decisions
(UI) — As Congress heads toward the end of this session, presumably in late September, the two, different bipartisan pipeline safety bills passed by two House committees appear to be going nowhere fast.
Remembering Bob Affholder: A legacy of passion and innovation in the CIPP, tunneling industries
(UI) — Robert (Bob) Wilson Affholder, a true industry giant by any measure or perspective, passed away in late July after a brilliant career that amazed, impressed and established his footprint upon essence of both cured-in-place pipe rehabilitation and the tunneling industry.
Supporting OSHA during site inspections
While my fellow colleagues are working diligently to keep everyone safe in the workplace, there is always room to go one step further, and one of those ways is to embrace and support representatives from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) during site inspections.
International report: Germany accelerates plans for energy development
Germany plans to actively accelerate the development and modernization of its underground energy infrastructure in the near future.
Utility & communications construction update shows strong market
Across the underground utility infrastructure segment, companies are performing quite well in the power, gas distribution, and water and wastewater construction segments. Strong investment by investor-owned utilities, the federal government, states and municipalities led to quality project opportunities that brought significant growth to the contractors serving those markets.
Japan plans to accelerate underground construction activities
Japan plans to accelerate its underground construction activities in years to come, paying a particular focus to the renewal of aging infrastructure, while enhancing its disaster response capabilities and reducing construction costs.
Emergency rehabilitation brings back Baltimore’s Back River outfall interceptor
Baltimore's Back River Outfall Interceptor underwent emergency rehabilitation due to severe damage and deterioration. The project involved advanced techniques and collaboration between Boyer Inc. and Ulliman Schutte Construction to restore the 1907 structure.
Purdue University students gain industry insights at UIC 2024
Held in Oklahoma City, the annual conference provides a platform for attendees to share the latest research findings, technological advancements and best practices, thereby promoting the development of the underground infrastructure industry.
Rehab Technology selection guide
This comprehensive listing provides an invaluable resource in researching availability and specifications of key rehabilitation equipment/materials for the underground infrastructure industry.
Drilling under the LSU campus
A groundbreaking project at LSU utilizes horizontal directional drilling (HDD) technology to install two 1,600-foot HDPE pipes, modernizing the campus's chilled water supply and return systems while minimizing surface disruption.
Inside Infrastructure: 8th DCA/AGA workshop bolsters communication, cooperation
The 8th annual DCA & AGA Workshop, held in Kansas City, brought together 140 industry representatives and featured discussions on pipeline safety, workforce development, cybersecurity, and legislative challenges, highlighting the critical importance of collaboration in the gas distribution industry.
Tech Tips: Documenting quality lateral lining installations
(UI) — With CIPP lining of mainline sewers becoming more and more accepted by system owners and utilities, greater attention is being paid to the opportunities to reduce infiltration and inflow (I&I) by utilizing CIPP lining for laterals.
26th annual directional drilling survey: More fuel on the fire
As the fiber market continues to burn bright, so does the utilization of horizontal directional drilling. The small rig market’s appetite and need for HDD is again demonstrating remarkable consistency in 2024 according to the exclusive results of the annual Underground Infrastructure HDD Survey.
Restoring power to Minnesota’s northwest angle
To reconnect the northernmost community of the continental U.S. and surrounding areas, the REC team had to plan and execute a project that included complicated underwater installations and transporting the necessary drills, cables and parts to complete the job on the various islands.
Florida roots run deep for underground projects, storm preparations
SSUP focuses on neighborhood lines, typically located in customers’ backyards, where lines are most susceptible to trees and other vegetation. So far, FPL has finished more than 2,000 neighborhood projects across the state and undergrounded more than 150 neighborhood lines in Charlotte County.
CIGMAT holds 29th annual conference
More than 300 participants and 14 invited speakers attended the the University of Houston’s Center for Innovative Grouting Materials and Technology and Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering,'s 29th annual conference and exhibition, representing owners, consulting engineers, material suppliers, contractors and academia.
Equappment: App built for better HDD, utility construction production
For three generations, Melfred Borzall’s focus has been on enabling better and smarter ways of installing underground utilities.
Fusion in paradise
Just south of Miami, in the tropical paradise of the Florida Keys, a McElroy TracStar 412 spent most of winter 2023 onsite, fusing high-density polyethylene (HDPE) for a massive residential water line to service one of the area’s gated resorts.
CIPP rehabilitation of pressurized pipelines
It is well known that CIPP has been around for over 50 years, primarily being used to rehabilitate gravity sewer pipelines. In the 1980s CIPP was introduced for low pressure sewer applications, and late in the 1990s began to emerge for water main and higher-pressure force main rehabilitations.
- 290-mile gas pipeline expansion proposed across Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina
- $227 million Garnet Valley water project advances, set to create 73,000 jobs in Nevada
- Pasadena, Calif., undergrounding project could take 500 years to finish
- Construction underway for $1.4 billion, 60-mile water pipeline in Chicago
- HDD industry faces challenges as cities push back on fiber drilling disruptions
- Gehl and Mustang offer world’s largest skid loader
- Growing Pains and Gains
- Authorities investigating trench collapse that killed worker in Ashburn, Va.
- Pasadena, Calif., undergrounding project could take 500 years to finish
- $227 million Garnet Valley water project advances, set to create 73,000 jobs in Nevada