Underground Infrastructure
SCE to bury 63 miles of new power lines in fire-damaged Altadena, Calif.
Southern California Edison will install 63 miles of underground electrical lines in Altadena, starting in 2025. The project targets fire-damaged areas and supports future clean energy needs.
Opus Water launches to drive growth in water, wastewater infrastructure sector
Opus Water is a growing water infrastructure equipment platform, dedicated to ensuring safe and efficient water management across a wide range of applications – from municipal systems to complex industrial processes. Backed by XPV Water Partners, Opus Water enters the market with a suite of offerings including pipe plugs, strainers, and heat exchangers.
Underground power line pilot cuts storm outages to zero in Michigan counties
Consumers Energy reports early success from its 9-mile underground power line pilot, with data showing zero storm-related outages in pilot areas so far in 2025—outperforming surrounding overhead systems.
Leica unveils DS4000 system for deeper underground utility detection
Leica Geosystems has launched the DS4000, a utility detection system capable of identifying underground assets up to 60% deeper than traditional methods, with improved clarity for both shallow and deep utilities.
Collapse threat prompts DC Water to reinforce 140-year-old tunnel with shotcrete, geopolymer
DC Water has completed emergency repairs on a 140-year-old sewer tunnel beneath 22nd Street NW after a large soil void threatened collapse. Crews reinforced the structure using shotcrete and geopolymer lining to stabilize over 1,200 feet of aging pipe.
Dominion Energy cuts storm outages in Virginia with 2,500 miles of buried lines
Dominion Energy has buried more than 2,500 miles of outage-prone power lines in Virginia, cutting average storm-related outage times from 11 hours to just 2 minutes in affected areas.
Arizona groundwater talks stall, leaving rural infrastructure without oversight
A legislative stalemate in Arizona has halted efforts to regulate groundwater, leaving vast underground water supplies in rural areas without oversight; critical infrastructure remains vulnerable amid growing concerns over depletion and drought.
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.
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.
Centuri awarded nearly $400 million for U.S. gas infrastructure work
Centuri, a leading North American utility infrastructure services company, has announced nearly $400 million in customer awards for its U.S. gas business segment. The work will include the replacement of existing aged natural gas infrastructure and system betterment.
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.
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.
PG&E raises 811 awareness during April's National Safe Digging Month
Digging without knowing the location of underground lines dangerous, it can also result in expensive repairs and inconvenient outages. Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is joining with others across the country during National Safe Digging Month to help raise awareness of the importance of calling 811 before you dig.
California fast-tracks underground utility rebuild after Los Angeles fires
Governor Gavin Newsom has signed an executive order to accelerate the rebuilding of critical underground utility systems in fire-damaged areas of Los Angeles County, including Altadena, Malibu, and Pacific Palisades.
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.
Canada aims to speed up infrastructure development, rehab
Canada intends to speed implementation of its ambitious plans for massive development and renovation of its underground infrastructure, in order to raise its efficiency and achieve a net-zero emissions target by 2050.
UIC return to Houston includes 30% attendance increase
The Underground Infrastructure Conference celebrated its 30th anniversary with a return to Houston, home to the original show in 1995. But unlike that first event, which was held in a hotel, UIC 25 was located at the George R. Brown Convention Center and netted more than 30-percent attendance growth from 2024.
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.
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.
Mary Rhodes Pipeline expansion part of ongoing efforts to boost Corpus Christi water supply
Key ongoing projects include expansion of the Mary Rhodes Pipeline — recently awarded Asset Management Project of the Year by Underground Infrastructure Magazine — along with two planned seawater desalination plants and plans to drill new water wells along the Nueces River, Caller Times reported.
Aries Industries celebrates 40 years of advancing underground infrastructure inspections
Aries Industries, a company specializing in state-of-the-art equipment for inspection and maintenance of underground infrastructure, is marking its 40th anniversary with a renewed commitment to the strong partnership culture that has fueled the company’s longevity.
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.
- NTSB publishes preliminary report on fatal gas pipeline explosion in Lexington, Mo.
- 290-mile gas pipeline expansion proposed across Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina
- Ripple Fiber breaks ground on $140 million project, expanding into central Mass.
- City of Albuquerque halts fiber optic construction in response to damage, complaints
- Body retrieved day after fatal trench collapse at Bakersfield, Calif., job site
- Gehl and Mustang offer world’s largest skid loader
- Growing Pains and Gains
- Maryland lawmakers push to curb BGE pipeline spending, citing safety and cost concerns
- Authorities investigating trench collapse that killed worker in Ashburn, Va.
- City of Albuquerque halts fiber optic construction in response to damage, complaints