Magazine
CIPP rehabilitation of pressurized pipelines
It is well known that CIPP has been around for over 50 years, primarily being used to rehabilitate gravity sewer pipelines. In the 1980s CIPP was introduced for low pressure sewer applications, and late in the 1990s began to emerge for water main and higher-pressure force main rehabilitations.
Trenchers: Unsung hero of utility installation
Trenching, with its versatility and adaptability, remains a vital method for utility installation across various terrains and conditions. The wide array of trenching machines and attachments available today allows for efficient and effective utility installations, from small residential projects to large-scale industrial applications.
Business news
Get the latest updates from important industry businesses like United Rentals, CASE, PPI, DEVELON and more in Underground Infrastructure's latest issue.
Business People
Get updates from important industry agencies, business and people in Underground Infrastructure's latest issue.
NASSCO President reflects on active year, accomplishments
NASSCO (National Association of Sewer Service Companies) is the industry source for trenchless technology education, resources and advocacy. The association has a storied history of accomplishment and service to the rehabilitation market.
Jacob Trapani, NASSCO Standard Bearer
This month, Underground Infrastructure Magazine profiles Jacob Trapani, who has proven to be not only a tremendous leader in private industry, helping to elevate BLD Services, but leading NASSCO through tough and changing situations during COVID.
Washington watch: Pipelines concerned about Biden EPA methane fee proposal
The proposal divides the natural gas industry into three separate baskets, each with a different equation for determining the fee. Natural gas compression facilities and gas transmission pipelines are in the same category and the fee would be assessed when emissions exceed 0.11 percent of the natural gas sent to sale “from or through” the facility.
New Products
Discover cutting-edge solutions in portable power equipment, from Vanair's EPEQ Light Duty Electrified Power Skid to EZG Manufacturing's Mobile Mud Hog Trench Mixer. Learn about U-TECK's Fiber Drop Caddy and Atlas Copco's groundbreaking X-Air⁺ 750-25 portable air compressor, revolutionizing efficiency and productivity in various industries.
Rehab spotlight: Lining systems
Discover leading solutions in sewer lining systems, including the Flow-120 Starter Package for compact spaces, the Bluelight LED CIPP system for faster curing, and MaxLiner's versatile CIPP technology. Explore the benefits of Reline America's thinner UV GRP liner and United Felts' top-tier CIPP liners and wet-out services.
Sewer maintenance: Myth-busting, best-practice training
Sewer maintenance is an ongoing challenge for cities and municipalities. Moreover, gaps in best-practice training can cost public works departments unnecessary time and expense in labor, water and energy costs when cleaning sewer lines.
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.
- 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.
- Two workers rescued after hours trapped in Mich. trench collapse
- WES tunnel boring machine retrieved from Oregon river after seven-month project
- 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