Magazine
HDD Hall of Fame Inducts Cherrington, Melsheimer as Inaugural Pioneers
Industry pioneers Dick Melsheimer and Martin Cherrington became the first inductees into the HDD Hall of Fame on Wednesday in its inaugural ceremony at the Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exhibition in Fort Worth, Texas.
INGAA President and Industry Veteran Don Santa Announces Retirement
After nearly two decades leading the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA), Don Santa announced today that he will retire from the organization effective February 15, 2020.
U.S. Supreme Court Will Not Hear Flint Water Case
The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to take a case stemming from the 2014 water crisis in Flint, Michigan.
HOBAS Demand Response Solutions Offers Needed Flexibility
HOBAS Pipe, with its U.S. manufacturing facility in Houston, Texas, and several other plants around the globe, has the distinction of being the world’s only producer of centrifugally cast fiberglass reinforced polymer mortar (CCFRPM) pipes.
John Deere Upgrades Small-Frame G-Series Skid Steers, Compact Track Loaders
John Deere enhanced its lineup of small-frame G-Series skid steers and compact track loaders, providing operators with even more power and efficiency on the job site. While the five models (312GR, 314G, 316GR, 317G, 318G) were..
DataLogger 6 Update Boasts Groundbreaking Features
Productivity improvements and new features to DataLogger 6 allow users to document and analyze even more of their job sites. These groundbreaking enhancements in Version 1.15 include McElroy Optimized Cooling, which reduces the minimum cool time per a new, patent-pending formula that is ASTM F2620-compliant. In addition, this update includes the ability to capture pressure tests in the field.
Barbco’s Revolutionary FlexBor Receives Patent
Barbco Inc. Co-Owner and CEO, Anthony R. Barbera was granted U.S. Patent #10465460 for the FlexBor tooling and technology. This is another milestone in the East Canton, Ohio, manufacturer’s 30-year history of underground equipment manufacturing.
Next-Generation Ditch Witch RT80: Designed for Versatility
Underground construction in urban areas can be a constricting and uniquely challenging experience – especially without a versatile and maneuverable machine. Enabling contractors and operators to overcome these challenges inspired improvements to an already proven Ditch Witch ride-on trencher, the RT..
Avanti Expands Product Offerings
avantigrout.com Avanti has added an AV-500 Epoxy line to its portfolio of injection solutions used to stabilize soils and rock, restore structural inte..
ISCO Division Partners with TV Pipe Solutions
isco-pipe.com ISCO Industries’ culvert-lining division, Snap-Tite, has established a master distribution agreement with TV Pipe Solutions. The agreement covers the full line of culvert rehabilitation product, including Snap-Tite pipe liners, from 8- to 63-inch diameter and up to 132 inches, the Hyd..
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..
- Intrepid Fiber breaks ground on fiber optic network in Superior, Colo.
- Excavator collides with I-95 overpass in Henrico, Va., causing multi-vehicle crash
- Shrewsbury, Mass., expands sewer inspections and cleaning efforts
- Two workers rescued after hours trapped in Mich. trench collapse
- Trump calls for Keystone XL pipeline revival, but developer has moved on
- Illinois overhauls Peoples Gas pipeline program, mandates focus on high-risk pipes
- Ameren Illinois to invest $140 million in natural gas pipeline replacement program
- Charlottesville, Va., to begin work on 24-inch water line for Rivanna River crossing
- Mass. governor slams Trump for ‘dangerous delay’ of $50 million in lead pipe replacement funds