Magazine
Global Pipeline Construction Outlook 2020
For those who thought producer retrenchment in U.S. shale basins, global trade wars or middling commodity prices would stop pipeline expansion dead in its tracks: Move along, folks. There’s nothing to see here.
House Dems to Approve Tough Pipeline Bill
Democrats in the House are about to pass a new pipeline safety bill, which is unlikely to attract any Republican support. The Pipeline Safety Act (H.R. 5120), passed by two House committees in November with no GOP votes in favor, also clashes with the bi-partisan bill passed last summer by the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.
$234 Billion CAPEX Expected over Next 10 Years for Water/Wastewater Infrastructure
More than $234 billion of capital expenditures (CAPEX) are forecasted over the next decade to address aging municipal water and wastewater pipe network infrastructure. Precipitated by decades of underinvestment, municipal utilities are under increasing pressure to address deteriorating linear assets at a faster pace.
Ohio Power Siting Board Approves Natural Gas Pipeline Route
The Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) has approved a route for Duke Energy’s Central Corridor natural gas pipeline following a review of the company’s application and hearings on the 14-mile project.
Doosan Infracore Demonstrates Automated Construction Site Solution
Doosan Infracore (DI) has unveiled ‘Concept-X’, an automated worksite control solution, at its Proving Grounds in Boryeong City, Korea.
LAN Starts Construction of Conroe Treatment Plant
LEM Construction Co has begun construction of a $60 million wastewater treatment plant for the City of Conroe, the fast-growing seat of Montgomery County, located north of Houston.
USDA to Invest Over $630 Million in Water Improvement for Rural Communities
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Donald “DJ” LaVoy has announced that the department is investing $635 million in 122 projects to improve water systems and wastewater handling services in rural communities in 42 states.
Interesting Times
It seems like the more things change for underground infrastructure markets, the more things stay the same. That’s why trying to get a handle on our industry outlook for 2020 remains a challenge.
FCC Prepares to Vote on $20.4 Billion Fiber Optic Rollout Package
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is preparing to vote soon on a $20.4 billion package that will help accelerate the build-out of fiber optic, high-speed broadband to rural America.
New Jersey Capital City Spending $150 Million to Replace Lead Pipes
All 37,000 of the lead water pipes in New Jersey’s capital city will be replaced over the next five years at an estimated cost of $150 million, Trenton officials said Thursday.
Vermeer Announces Agreement with MultiOne
Vermeer Corporation announced it has entered into a distribution agreement with MultiOne, a leading manufacturer of compact articulated loaders.
Construction Begins to Repair Damage From 120 Million Gallon Sewer Leaks in Florida
Construction has begun to repair damaged sewer lines in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida after nearly 130 million gallons of sewer water leaked over several days last December.
U.S. Department of Energy Awards $25 Million to Improve Natural Gas Operations
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has selected 16 projects to receive nearly $25 million in federal funding for cost-shared projects to advance natural gas infrastructure technology development.
FERC Approves Chesapeake Utilities Pipeline Expansion
Chesapeake Utilities has announced that FERC has issued an order approving the Company's proposed Del-Mar Energy pipeline project.
New for UCT 2020: Hands-On Assessment Zone Highlights Modern Methods, Technologies
Another unique, interactive education and demonstration zone has been added to the Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exhibition scheduled Jan. 28 -30, 2020, at the Fort Worth Convention Center, Fort Worth, Texas.
John Deere Upgrades Small-Frame G-Series Skid Steers and Compact Track Loaders
John Deere has upgraded its lineup of five small-frame G-Series skid steers and compact track loaders.
Ohio Power Siting Board Approves Natural Gas Pipeline Route
The Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) has approved a route for Duke Energy’s Central Corridor natural gas pipeline.
Wyo-Ben Inc.
wyoben.com Wyo-Ben Inc., a leading provider of drilling fluids to the horizontal directional drilling (HDD) market, announced a new, mobile app designed to help HDD crews better utilize drilling fluids. The free app, developed in response to customer feedback, includes usage guidelines, cross-refer..
Vermeer/McLaughlin
vermeer.com; mclaughlinunderground.com Available in early 2020, in select regions, the new Vermeer D23x30DR S3 Navigator horizontal directional drill (HDD) integrates dual-rod technology into a compact machine design to efficiently maneuver through rock in congested cities, busy neighborhoods or ti..
Vanair
vanair.com Vanair introduced a new, patent-pending Integrated Separator Tank. Its integrated manifolds contain a minimum pressure valve, thermo-valve, thermistors, transducers, pressure regulators, oil filter, ultrasonic oil level sensors and optional cold-weather oil heater. In addition, SAE O-Rin..
The Toro Company
toro.com The all-new Toro Dingo TXL 2000 consolidates the benefits of several machines into one. Thanks to telescoping loader arm technology, operators can perform a number of tasks previously unachievable with this class o..
Subsite Electronics
subsite.com; subsitegreenops.com Subsite Electronics introduced UtiliGuard 2, a new multi-frequency utility locator based on the popular UtiliGuard system. Available in Standard and Advanced models, UtiliGuard 2 takes all the proven performance-boosting features of the original UtiliGuard and adds ..
RIDGID
ridgid.com RIDGID’s new A-Frame Fault Locator makes finding faults in buried conductors easier for electrical contractors, utility repair, municipality and facility maintenance professionals. Designed for incredible accuracy and operator safety, the locator utilizes low voltage to find the exact p..
Numa Hammers & Bits
numahammers.com Numa’s HDD product line and drilling experts provide the perfect combination for productive and efficient drilling in hard rock and fractured ground formations. This includes a full arsenal of HDD hammers and bits capable of drilling holes 4 inches to 7.5 inches in diameter, and a v..
Melfred Borzall
melfredborzall.com Melfred Borzall’s Eagle Claw S.D. boasts twice as many carbides and tougher teeth than its most popular rock bit, the Eagle Claw. More specifically, Borzall has taken the three, standard conical cutter te..
History of Technology Information at UCT’s RehabZone
In 2002, a comprehensive display of various trenchless technologies at the Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exhibition (UCT) became a reality with the birth of the RehabZone.
Lane Wins First Washington Contract with $255 Million Seattle Project
Lane Construction said it won its first contract in the state of Washington—construction of a water storage tunnel to reduce polluted overflows into Seattle’s Lake Washington Ship Canal.
Colorado Company Fined for Fatal Trench Collapse
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has fined an excavation company for the deaths of two Colorado workers in a collapsed trench.
Volunteers Canvass Newark in Service Line Replacement Push
Volunteers have been going door-to-door in Newark, N.J., to help sign up thousands of residents to have their corroding lead service lines replaced.
Value of Knowledge
I recently attended the annual meeting of the Industry Advisory Board for the Trenchless Technology Center (TTC) at Louisiana Tech University. It’s something I’ve been involved with for decades and thoroughly enjoy. Networking with industry experts, learning of cutting-edge research and discussing a..
- OSHA cites Florida contractors for trench safety violations at sewer and excavation sites
- Biden-Harris administration invests $849 million in aging water infrastructure, drought resilience
- Cadiz to reuse steel from terminated Keystone XL pipeline for California groundwater project
- Texas contractor penalized by OSHA for repeated trench safety violations
- West Virginia approves $67 million for water, sewer projects