Magazine
RehabZone Additions, Changes for 2020 Event
As in the past, the RehabZone is a unique feature of the 2020 Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exposition (UCT). The show is scheduled for Jan. 28–30, 2020, at the Fort Worth, Texas, Convention Center.
HDD Memories to the Future
If you are involved in the horizontal directional drilling industry, by now you’ve probably heard about the first-ever HDD Reunion (HDDR) being organized by industry personnel and Underground Construction magazine. HDDR 2020 will be held in conjunction with the annual Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exhibition (UCT) in Fort Worth, Texas, Jan. 28-30.
Queens, New York Breaks Ground on $139 Million Upgrade Project
A New York neighborhood has broken ground on a $139 million renovation across 25 blocks which will include, among other things, several miles of sewer and water infrastructure upgrades.
August Construction Starts Decrease 6 Percent
New construction starts dropped 6% over the month in August to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $807.1 billion, according to Dodge Data & Analytics.
euNetworks Adds New High Density Fiber Networks in Milan and Madrid
euNetworks Group Limited (“euNetworks”), a Western European bandwidth infrastructure company, has announced that it has undertaken further network investment in Europe, building duct based, high fiber count networks in the cities of Milan and Madrid.
In Memoriam: Davis Yates
Longtime underground construction and trenchless industry professional Davis Yates passed away July 2 at the age of 51.
In Memoriam: Jim Barbera
Jim Barbera, of East Canton, Ohio, passed away at age 79, on July 8.
Epiroc Donates Equipment to Colorado School of Mines’ EMI
Epiroc, a productivity partner for the mining and infrastructure industries, donated a COP 1238K rock drill to the Excavation Engineering and Earth Mechanics Institute (EMI) at the Colorado School of Mines.
EPA Launches Comment Period for Clean Water Act Changes
The EPA recently issued a proposed rule to implement Section 401 of the Clean Water Act intended to streamline the approval process for permits that are often an obstacle for pipelines and other infrastructure projects.
SoCalGas Worker Killed in Gas Line Explosion, 15 Others Injured
A natural gas explosion destroyed a Southern California home, killed a gas company worker and injured more than a dozen, authorities said.
John Deere Launches Apprenticeship Program
John Deere said it is helping address the widespread shortage of service technicians, especially in rural areas, through a new Registered Apprenticeship Program it is making available to its dealers.
Aegion Wins $5.7 Million Rehab Contract in Alabama
Aegion Corporation has announced that its subsidiary, Insituform Technologies, LLC, has been awarded a $5.7 million wastewater pipeline rehabilitation contract in Montgomery, Ala.
Presidential Hopefuls Flock to Flint for Environmental Messages
Flint, Michigan, became a destination city during the 2016 presidential election for candidates to deliver messages about the environment, water quality and urban policy. That trend has continued as the 2020 election closes in.
Columbia Gas Parent Settles Massachusetts Gas Explosion Lawsuits for $143 Million
Utility operator NiSource Inc. said it agreed pay $143 million to resolve class action lawsuits brought by residents and businesses that suffered losses caused by a series of gas explosions in three Massachusetts communities last year.
U.S. Water, Wastewater Costs on Rise
U.S. municipal water and wastewater utility bills grew at an inflation-adjusted 3.6% during the past year to an household average $104 per month, according to a new index that has raised concerns about both affordability and regional volatility.
TC Energy Funding ‘Pipeline Academy’ at Louisiana Technical College
A Louisiana technical college has received a $1 million donation from TC Energy to enable students to gain hands-on pipeline experience at its new “pipeline academy.”
The Toro Company to Reorganize Underground Construction Business
The Toro Company announced it is realigning the organizational structure for its underground construction businesses after the recent acquisition of Charles Machine Works.
US Hammer Gas-Powered Jackhammer
US Hammer has developed a line of gas-powered jackhammers, including the Gas Breaker GB-70 and GB-90 for small, medium and large jobs.
Toro Adds Two Models to TRX Walk-Behind Trencher Lineup
Toro enhanced its TRX walk-behind trencher line with two new models that are designed for exceptional performance, serviceability, ease of use and operator comfort.
John Deere Offers High-Lift Option on 344L Compact Wheel Loader
The 344L High-Lift option offers John Deere compact wheel loader operators increased height and further reach for dumping or stacking, general construction or landscaping and snow removal tasks.
Pipeline Cybersecurity Protection Legislation Moves Forward
House Democrats and Republicans have had trouble agreeing on a pipeline safety bill so far this year, but a second bill faces no such problem. The House Energy & Commerce Committee passed the Pipeline and LNG Facility Cybersecurity Preparedness Act by a voice vote in mid-July, a few weeks before the House left for its August/September work period.
Water Infrastructure Bill Introduced
The Senate is looking to pass bi-partisan water infrastructure bills aimed mostly at providing funding for dams, irrigation and water conservation, and rejuvenation projects in the Western U.S. under the auspices of the Bureau of Reclamation, an Interior Department agency. Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), Martha McSally (R-Ariz.) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) introduced the most prominent of three separate bills called the Drought Resiliency and Water Supply Infrastructure Act (S. 1932).
PHMSA Likely to Accelerate LNG Rail Shipments
Environmentalists are broadening their opposition to natural gas transportation beyond pipelines by opposing the shipment of liquid natural gas (LNG) on rail cars. Energy Transport Solutions, a Florida company, has applied to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) for a special permit to send 100-plus large tank cars of LNG through Florida on their way to ports for delivery overseas.
RehabZone Generations
Eighteen years ago, a small group of members who had been active participants in the annual Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exhibition (UCT) were looking for a way to emphasize the importance of the emerging rehabilitation industry.
Avanti Adds Epoxy Product Line to its Injection Solutions
Avanti International introduced the AV-500 epoxy line to its portfolio of injection solutions used to stabilize soils and rock, restore structural integrity, stop leaks and control groundwater. The product offering consists of..
Zealots Seek Change Through Propaganda
Say what you will about the Sierra Club, but its membership includes some dedicated and hard-core people. Historically, they are regularly willing to risk life and limb, endure hardships and suffer all kinds of abuse to achieve their goals. Of course, most rational people question those goals, let alone their tactics. Also, are the often, physical risks and hardships the best way to influence the public? I think not.
Canopy Pilot-Tubes Provides Unique Project Solution
LRL Construction recently completed a project to replace a failing 6-foot-diameter corrugated steel drainage pipe under a busy two-lane U.S. Highway 101 in Manzanita, OR, a scenic, seaside village on the Pacific Ocean in the northwest part of the state.
Michigan Offers Grants for Rural Industry, Infrastructure
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is offering grants supporting land-based industries and infrastructure that benefit rural communities.
Judge Blocks Obama-Era Water Initiative Pending Revision
A federal judge in Georgia has blocked enactment of the 2015 Waters of the United States rule in Georgia and nine other states that filed suit against the measure while it's under review by the Trump administration.
Gas Explosion Hits Office, Shopping Complex
A powerful natural gas explosion badly damaged a Maryland office complex and shopping center Sunday morning, ripping away part of the facade and exposing twisted metal, authorities said.
- Trench collapse kills one construction worker in Houston, Texas
- 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
- Construction worker killed in trench collapse near Prosperity, S.C.
- Final construction phase kicks off for Indianapolis deep rock tunnel
- Texas contractor penalized by OSHA for repeated trench safety violations
- Trench collapse kills one construction worker in Houston, Texas
- WES tunnel boring machine retrieved from Oregon river after seven-month project
- Illinois overhauls Peoples Gas pipeline program, mandates focus on high-risk pipes