Magazine
Editor’s Log: When money has no limits
Power generation is rapidly emerging across North America – indeed, the world – as the primary factor that, in the near future, will impact not only our economy, but further development of modern civilization.
IPEX expands trenchless offering with cost-efficient, large-size NovaForm PVC liner
NovaForm is a styrene-free, expand-in-place structural liner for rehabilitating trenchless sewer and stormwater culverts. This liner combines long-term strength with flexibility, allowing it to handle some of the most challenging installation conditions.
Federal court rejects four new pipeline safety rules
Not only has the DC Federal Court of Appeals upended FERC decisions, it has now injected itself into Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) decisions.
A construction observer’s guide: From manhole rehabilitation to project management insights
A construction observer is the system owner’s representative on a construction project. Their primary responsibility is to thoroughly understand the project plans and specifications and be present on-site during construction to ensure adherence to these plans and specifications, safeguarding the owner’s best interests.
Water, Sewer Damage Awareness Week 2024 is providing education, strategies to industry communities
Water & Sewer Damage Awareness Week (WSDAW) 2024 is planned for Oct 21-25. This year, key stakeholders in the water and wastewater industry from across the country are gearing up to receive free educational presentations tailored to provide industry-leading practices and strategies to protect and maintain the water and wastewater systems that we all rely on.
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.
Newsline October 2024
EarthGrid, EnerTech to invest $18 billion in underground projects; Tennessee requires $3 billion for wastewater infrastructure repairs by 2027; Clack-A-Mole TBM progresses on Oregon outfall tunnel; and more!
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.
Editor’s log: ‘Shocking’ news
After Houston had yet another hurricane smash through the city shortly after the Fourth of July, widespread power outages in the millions that lasted, in some cases, for weeks, resulted in heavy criticism of the area’s power grid.
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!
Vermeer launches compact MX150 mixing system for HDD operations
Vermeer has introduced the MX150, a compact mixing system designed for horizontal directional drilling (HDD) operations. The MX150, equipped with a 7-hp (5.2-kW) Kohler gas engine, delivers a maximum flow of 150 gallons per minute (gpm) to ensure faster fluid mixing times, optimizing productivity in confined job sites.
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.
New Products
In the latest New Products column, Underground Infrastructure highlights Hitachi’s Super Long Front excavator, CASE’s new electric backhoe and mini excavator models, and CAT’s upgraded wheel loaders with innovative traction control. Discover the latest advancements designed to enhance jobsite performance and sustainability.
Business News
Discover the latest innovations and industry collaborations in underground construction.
Newsline September 2024
Texas oil pipelines near max capacity, threatening future export limits; EPA blames state for Jackson water crisis, cites inadequate oversight; League City, Texas, advances $308 million in major water, sewer upgrades; and more!
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.
New Products
Discover the latest innovations in construction equipment!
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.
New products
Discover the newest innovations from industry players like John Deere, Volvo, DEVELON and more in Underground Infrastructure's latest issue.
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.
- 290-mile gas pipeline expansion proposed across Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina
- City of Albuquerque halts fiber optic construction in response to damage, complaints
- Body retrieved day after fatal trench collapse at Bakersfield, Calif., job site
- $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
- Gehl and Mustang offer world’s largest skid loader
- Growing Pains and Gains
- Authorities investigating trench collapse that killed worker in Ashburn, Va.
- City of Albuquerque halts fiber optic construction in response to damage, complaints
- Pasadena, Calif., undergrounding project could take 500 years to finish