Magazine
Harnessing advanced technologies for underground engineering success
Underground construction endeavors are intricate, demanding meticulous planning, execution and risk management. With billions of dollars invested and millions impacted annually, the stakes are monumental.
Insights and trends: Latest developments in utility and communications construction
The beginning of 2024 is shaping up to be just as dynamic as we had expected going into the year. The election stage is set for November, the Federal Reserve is trying to thread the needle between fighting inflation and making the “soft landing,” and most distressing, we all witnessed a terrible tragedy in the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.
Editor’s Log: And the smiles never stopped
In late March, UI wrapped another successful Underground Infrastructure Conference. Per usual, a wealth of information and market intelligence was gathered from remarkable speakers and experts in a variety of fields including sewer installation and rehabilitation, fiber optics, power, horizontal directional drilling, and safety.
NASSCO tech tips: Human or machine: The importance of image clarity
The use of ADR can help make observations and perform coding at much faster rates than the human brain can, while maintaining image clarity. This is wonderful news when we consider the amount of data out there still to be collected, first time or fifth time.
Inside infrastructure: Safety debate continues to address new, controversial subjects
Every four or five years, multiple committees in Congress undertake the responsibility of reauthorizing the nation’s pipeline safety program and the federal agency that oversees it.
American Augers’ catch-rig technology speeds up intersect drilling process
To streamline the collaboration of two HDD rigs efficiently working together, American Augers developed what it calls “catch-rig” technology. The system is ideally suited for river crossings and long-distance bores that require a lot of time, machines and prep work on the trail pipe at the exit hole.
Fiber Broadband Association reports NA hit highest annual FTTH growth record
The Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) recently announced results of its 2023 North America Fiber Provider Survey. Performed by RVA LLC Market Research & Consulting (RVA), the research concludes that 2023 set a new record for the highest annual FTTH growth; nine million homes were newly passed by network operators last year alone, according to Mike Render, RVA founder and CEO.
Underground Infrastructure Awards recognizes industry excellence in Oklahoma City
The 2024 Underground Infrastructure Awards (UIA) were held on the evening of Tuesday, March 19th, in Oklahoma City, OK., at the end of the first day of the prestigious Underground Infrastructure Conference (UIC). Sponsored by Underground Infrastructure magazine, the event is designed to reward the people and their incredible performances in a unique, personal and deserving fashion.
First look: Vermeer introduces RTX1250 trencher
Vermeer introduced an improved version of the RTX1250 127-horsepower ride-on trencher tractor that accepts multiple attachments. This updated model has received significant improvements, including enhancements to the tracks, axles and plow retention pins, to optimize productivity in challenging working conditions.
UIC: Back to our roots
The 31st annual Underground Infrastructure Conference will travel back to our hometown of Houston. As the nation’s fourth-largest city, Houston has held many highly successful UICs, and will again be the nexus of all things underground March 4-6, 2025.
Damage prevention and safety: Turning awareness into action
Surveys and studies reveal that professional excavators/contractors are highly aware of Common Ground Alliance’s (CGA) 811 initiative that requires they (as well as landscapers and homeowners) contact their state’s OneCall Center so underground utility lines are identified and marked before breaking ground.
Western sanctions impacting Russian underground infrastructure
The Russian sector of underground infrastructure construction is potentially in a serious crisis. The ever deepening shortage of funding and the lack of technologies are posing a threat for implementation of many investment projects and planned modernization of existing infrastructure.
Newsline
$770 million allocated for rural infrastructure projects including water, internet; Cross-border pipeline to Mexico LNG plant receives regulatory approval; CenterPoint energy sells Louisiana, Mississippi natural gas assets; and more!
Business People
Mark Roberts, well-known and respected leader in the pipeline industry, died Feb. 2, at age 75; Michael Hoffmaster was promoted from director to vice president of Business Development at OBIC LLC; Jeremy Cress, P.E. joined Woolpert; and more!
Business News
VANAIR acquires Grip Idle Management; Aries Industries adds Phoenix-based Short Equipment Inc. to its dealer network; United Rentals offers game-changing equipment, tools, approaches; Yanmar celebrates launch of zero tail swing excavator; and more!
Rehab News
Ellison Mills Contracting, a leading Southern Arizona’s heavy civil construction firm, has joined the ranks of certified Reline America installers; Vortex Technology Group LLC received WRc-Approved certification for its VeriCure Cured-In-Place Pipe (CIPP) monitoring system.
Business People
Industry pioneer and Distribution Contractors Association Past President Thomas Michael (Tom) Allen, of Edwardsville, Ill., died Oct. 23, 2023, at the age of 83. Additionally, LAN, Woolpert, McElroy and more announced promotions in Underground Infrastructure's latest issue.
New Products
United Rentals Inc. unveiled the Estimated Emissions dashboard. Volvo Construction Equipment introduced two new compact excavators to North America. Road Widener LLC enhances utility trench backfilling applications with the patented FH-R material placement attachment, and more can be found in the latest edition of New Products from UI!
Annual MVP awards luncheon to be held March 19 at UIC
Russ Ford, a senior associate at Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam Inc., will be honored as the underground infrastructure industry’s Most Valuable Professional (MVP) at a special luncheon on March 19, 2024, at the Oklahoma City Convention Center.
Unearth powerful education, networking opportunities at UIC 2024
The most anticipated conference dedicated to the installation, rehabilitation and asset management of the underground infrastructure is almost here. Join your peers Tuesday, March 19 to Thursday, March 21 at the Underground Infrastructure Conference (UIC) in vibrant Oklahoma City, Okla.
HDD Reunion, Hall of Fame celebration to be held at UIC
The biannual Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) Reunion and HDD Hall of Fame celebration will be held on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at the Oklahoma City Convention Center in conjunction with the Underground Infrastructure Conference (UIC).
PCCA takes workforce development, damage prevention efforts to the States
The PCCA has fought for increased funding for rural broadband and electric power, fewer regulatory roadblocks, faster permitting, damage prevention, workforce development, and more. But in 2023 and now into the new year, PCCA is taking a more active role in the states, especially when it comes to workforce development and damage prevention.
North America 2024 Pipeline Construction Outlook: New LNG Terminals Lead Call for More Pipelines
It comes as little surprise to those in midstream that during the past year, we have continued to see LNG initiatives garner more attention than pipeline projects. However, terminal construction drives new pipeline construction.
Conference Preview: Underground Infrastructure Awards Program Slated for March 19
The annual Underground Infrastructure Awards (UIA), the most comprehensive and prestigious program to recognize outstanding performance and technology for the entire underground infrastructure industry, will honor the finalists and celebrate the winner of the 2024 awards on March 19.
Washington Watch: Methane Emission Standards Hit Pipelines; but More Gently than Proposed
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued final methane performance standards for natural gas controllers and compressors, which will require midstream and interstate pipelines to take a new look at their emission controls.
Challenges of repairing rural water lines in urbanizing areas
To make repairs, the BCWA team has primarily relied on trackhoes (backhoe loaders) and mini excavators. However, in some environments, using these common equipment fleet staples of most rural water associations can potentially cause additional damage that will need to be addressed.
Funding still flowing despite economic headwinds, challenges
The last two years in America’s municipal infrastructure industry have seen tremendous increases in project activities driven primarily by significant boosts in government funding. If you happened to be a consulting engineer, contractor or manufacturer/supplier, business has been good. Now, 2024 has the potential to be a great year for many in infrastructure.
Editor’s Log: Industry honors and celebrations
It’s officially awards season for the underground infrastructure industry with some amazing people, projects and technology being cited for market contributions.
Aries Industries advances mainline inspection technology with new Mobile Voyager HD system
Aries Industries has added flexibility and efficiency to its Voyager Mainline inspection system with the introduction of a completely mobile version of the advanced product.
CIPP natural variation shouldn’t give you a headache
When developing a QA/QC program for a CIPP project, a good place to start is NASSCO’s Performance Specification Guideline (PSG) Cured-In-Place Pipe (CIPP) Installation. The PSG is developed with expertise from a wide range of industry experts and in addition to detailing specific terminology guidance also provides additional context notes within text boxes, when necessary, allowing the user to better understand the background behind the guidance.
- 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