Underground Construction
Pasadena, Calif., undergrounding project could take 500 years to finish
Pasadena, Calif., may need 500 more years to complete its underground utility project, citing cost, complexity, and coordination delays.
Body retrieved day after fatal trench collapse at Bakersfield, Calif., job site
A construction worker died after falling into a 20-foot trench at a site in west Bakersfield, Calif. Rescue teams recovered the body overnight, and an investigation is ongoing.
Work paused on NYC’s massive tunnel repair as drought triggers contract overhaul
The $2 billion effort to fix a leak in New York City’s Delaware Aqueduct, which supplies water to millions, is now expected to finish after 2027 due to drought-related delays and contract revisions.
$51 million settlement adds to delays on Hartford, Conn., 41-million-gallon sewer tunnel
Hartford, Connecticut’s massive South Hartford Conveyance and Storage Tunnel project is now expected to cost $335 million and won’t be completed until 2026 after a legal dispute over groundwater conditions delayed progress.
DC Water's Potomac River Tunnel Project to begin controlled underground blasting
As part of the excavation work for DC Water’s Potomac River Tunnel Project, weekly controlled underground blasting operations at the West Potomac Park construction site will begin as early as next week and continue through February 2026. Once blasting is complete, tunnel boring machines (TBMs) will be used to construct the 5.5-mile tunnel.
UI Awards 2025: Top projects, technologies honored during Underground Infrastructure Conference
UI Awards 2025 recognized leading underground infrastructure achievements, including major sewer, fiber, water and rehabilitation projects, at the annual awards dinner during the Underground Infrastructure Conference.
Final tunnel construction begins for Toronto’s Eglinton transit extension project
According to Metrolinx, crews in Toronto have begun the final phase of construction for tunnels that will connect the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension to the existing terminus of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT (Line 5 Eglinton) at Mount Dennis Station in Toronto, Canada.
Rosemead, Calif., utility to bury power lines in fire-hit Altadena, Malibu rebuild
Southern California Edison plans to underground over 150 circuit miles of power lines in Altadena and Malibu as part of a wildfire recovery effort, aiming to boost resilience and reduce future fire risks.
ProStar, Pix4D launch 3D mobile mapping tool for underground infrastructure
ProStar Holdings Inc. has partnered with 3D mapping firm Pix4D to integrate their technologies and deliver a real-time, mobile-friendly solution for visualizing underground infrastructure.
Repairs begin on struck ANR pipeline, but more work ahead for Michigan Gas Utilities
TC Energy is responding to a third-party line strike that damaged a section of its ANR Pipeline System near Fennville, Michigan, on April 9, causing a gas outage in the area.
Astound completes 108-mile underground fiber build along Oregon’s Highway 6
Astound Broadband has finished constructing a 108-mile underground fiber route along Highway 6, delivering high-speed internet access to rural areas of Tillamook County for the first time.
NYC’s DEP completes excavation phase for underground tank to prevent sewage overflow into area canal
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced the early completion of excavation for an 8-million-gallon underground tank that will intercept and store combined sewage that would otherwise overflow into the Gowanus Canal during rainstorms.
Griffolyn pre-liners improve reliability in trenchless pipe lining
Griffolyn reinforced pre-liners offer added protection and reliability during CIPP trenchless pipe rehabilitation, helping prevent resin washout, liner buckling, and installation delays in water and sewer infrastructure projects.
MTA advances $7.7 billion East Harlem subway tunnel project with $186 million oversight contract
The MTA has approved a $186.6 million contract with AECOM-HNTB to oversee tunneling and systems work for Phase 2 of the Second Avenue Subway extension, advancing one of New York’s largest underground infrastructure projects into East Harlem.
Willamette River goes sewer overflow-free thanks to Big Pipe system in Portland, Ore.
Portland recently marked a major environmental milestone: one full year without a combined sewer overflow (CSO) into the Willamette River, a testament to the long-term success of the city’s $1.4 billion Big Pipe Project.
ASCE gives U.S. infrastructure best grade yet—stormwater, wastewater and energy still near failing
The American Society of Civil Engineers gave U.S. infrastructure its highest grade since 1998, but critical systems like stormwater, wastewater, and energy remain near failing, according to the 2025 Report Card.
Lumos to install over 1,200 miles of fiber optic, expanding into Indiana
Lumos has announced its inaugural expansion into Indiana, with plans to build over 1,200 miles of fiber optic infrastructure aimed at providing 100% fiber optic internet service to homes and small businesses in the area.
Los Alamos, N.M., hit by second network outage after fiber line breaks during construction
For the second time in a week, Los Alamos, N.M., experienced a network outage on March 17 after construction crews accidentally severed fiber lines along NM-4.
Worm-like robot burrows underground to cut power line installation costs
The innovation, known as a "peristaltic conduit," mimics the segmented movement of earthworms to propel itself through the soil with minimal disruption to existing infrastructure.
Fairfield, Conn., to begin $31 million East Trunk sewer line replacement in May
A long-planned replacement of the East Trunk sewer line is set to begin in May 2025, with construction expected to last about 18 months. The project will replace aging sewer infrastructure to improve wastewater system reliability, reduce maintenance costs, and prevent future disruptions.
Williams Cos. highlights underground infrastructure’s role in surging natural gas demand at UIC 2025
At the Underground Infrastructure Conference on March 5, Glenn Koch, Vice President-Project Execution at Williams Co., addressed the growing demand for natural gas and the role underground infrastructure will play in meeting energy needs.
Williams highlights infrastructure’s role in surging gas demand at UIC 2025
At UIC 2025, Williams Co. VP Glenn Koch outlined how underground infrastructure and natural gas storage are critical to meeting surging U.S. energy demand, driven by data centers and peak-day power needs.
Two workers killed in Maryland trench collapse during home renovation
Two construction workers were killed on Feb. 28 after a trench collapsed while they were working on a home renovation project in Catonsville, Maryland, fire officials confirmed.
Cadiz taps Stantec to lead engineering for $800 million Mojave Groundwater Bank
Once completed, the project will provide 2.5 million acre-feet of new water supply and 1 million acre-feet of underground storage. A 350-mile pipeline network will connect the system to the Colorado River and California Aqueducts, making it the largest new water infrastructure project in the Southwest.
New Jersey American Water advances lead pipe replacements, exceeds 12,000 replacements
The utility remains on track to meet a 2021 New Jersey law requiring the removal of both utility-owned and customer-owned lead and galvanized steel service lines by 2031.
Turning awareness into action: 811 call centers
Despite widespread awareness of 811 requirements, damage to underground utilities remains high. This article urges contractors to consistently use state OneCall centers and provides a full directory for safe digging compliance.
Work progresses on $66 million upgrade to San Diego’s first aqueduct
The San Diego County Water Authority has reached the halfway point on a $66 million project to extend the life of the historic First Aqueduct and maintain reliable water delivery across the region.
Sewer upgrade to begin under Nautical Mile in St. Clair Shores, Mich.
The project will involve the installation of a new sewer line beneath Jefferson Avenue, aiming to reduce sewer discharges into Lake St. Clair.
Smelly Mel’s, Sewer Rat Plumbing fined nearly $530,000 after San Mateo, Calif., trench collapse
California workplace safety regulators have fined Smelly Mel’s Plumbing and Sewer Rat Plumbing a combined $529,640 for safety violations linked to a trench collapse that seriously injured a construction worker in San Mateo on Aug. 1, 2024.
Newsom announces key permit for Delta Conveyance Project, boosting water infrastructure
The Delta Conveyance Project, aimed at upgrading the State Water Project, has received an essential Incidental Take Permit, a necessary approval to move forward with the initiative.
- Authorities investigating trench collapse that killed worker in Ashburn, Va.
- NTSB publishes preliminary report on fatal gas pipeline explosion in Lexington, Mo.
- Mass. governor slams Trump for ‘dangerous delay’ of $50 million in lead pipe replacement funds
- Ditch Witch West sells first Bulldog trencher to speed up undergrounding work along West Coast
- Centuri awarded nearly $400 million for U.S. gas infrastructure work
- Maryland lawmakers push to curb BGE pipeline spending, citing safety and cost concerns
- 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
- City of Albuquerque halts fiber optic construction in response to damage, complaints
- Pasadena, Calif., undergrounding project could take 500 years to finish