Underground Infrastructure
SAWS’ Andrea Beymer to deliver UIC sewer/water keynote address
Andrea Huizar Beymer, executive vice president and chief operating officer of the San Antonio Water System (SAWS), will headline the upcoming Underground Infrastructure Conference (UIC) with a keynote address that highlights transformative innovation in the water and wastewater industry.
Utah city launches historic $70 million tunnel project using box jacking under active rail line
The City of Bluffdale, Utah, has begun work on a $70 million infrastructure project to replace the aging 14600 South underpass with a new four-lane tunnel built beneath active train tracks. Using an advanced Italian “box jacking” technique—never before applied in the U.S.—crews will construct the new tunnel without disrupting rail service.
Washington adopts data-driven tools to plan underground power corridors
Washington’s Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council is using WSP’s new Spatial Decision Support mapping platform to modernize siting and permitting for high-voltage transmission lines, including underground infrastructure.
Construction advances on Toronto's $27 billion Ontario Line subway project
Toronto’s $27 billion Ontario Line subway project is advancing rapidly, with several underground station sites now beginning to take recognizable form. The 15.6-km line will add 15 new stations in what is one of the city’s most ambitious infrastructure undertakings in decades.
New York approves buried power line for Micron’s $100 billion semiconductor facility
New York has approved a two-mile underground transmission line to connect National Grid’s Clay substation with Micron’s $100 billion semiconductor megafab in Onondaga County — a key step toward powering the largest private investment in state history.
Corpus Christi begins boring work for underground fiber installation on Yorktown Boulevard
Charter-Spectrum contractors kicked off underground fiber installation along Yorktown Boulevard in Corpus Christi on Oct. 15, with lane closures expected near Brentridge Drive through the end of the month.
Centuri names Ryan Palazzo president of U.S. gas division
Centuri Holdings, Inc. has appointed Ryan Palazzo as President of U.S. Gas, where he will oversee the company’s gas infrastructure operations. The U.S. Gas segment represents roughly half of Centuri’s total revenue and plays a key role in supporting the nation’s expanding energy infrastructure.
Iowa city moves forward with $13 million underground fiber project
Decorah, Iowa, is investing $13 million in a citywide fiber network that will deliver gigabit internet to every home and business by 2027. The locally financed project, operated by AcenTek, marks a major step in expanding rural broadband access.
Dublin, Ohio moves South High Street utilities underground in major upgrade
Dublin, Ohio is relocating overhead power and telecom lines underground along South High Street as part of a multi-year utility burial project. Phase 2 is underway and expected to finish in spring 2026.
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Boulder, Colo., moves utilities underground at Chautauqua to cut wildfire risk
Boulder is undergrounding utilities at Chautauqua, relocating power lines and fiber while upgrading water systems to cut wildfire risk and improve reliability.
Idaho faces $1 billion water infrastructure challenge as federal cuts loom
A University of Idaho study finds the state’s water and wastewater systems need more than $1 billion in upgrades, with over half of treatment plants violating the Clean Water Act in 2023. Small towns like McCammon face steep costs to replace aging infrastructure, while looming federal cuts to EPA revolving funds threaten to worsen the crisis.
Kenya builds $120 million transmission line to carry geothermal power across western region
Kenya is investing $120 million in an 81-km (50-mile) transmission line to move geothermal power from Olkaria to western regions, strengthening the grid and cutting reliance on costly gas turbines.
Dublin, Ohio, advances South High Street utility burial project
Dublin, Ohio, is moving ahead with Phase 2 of its South High Street utility burial project, shifting overhead power and telecom lines underground. Work is scheduled to finish in spring 2026.
AECOM launches Singapore AI center for underground infrastructure planning
Global infrastructure firm AECOM has launched its AI Innovation Centre in Singapore, backed by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB). The initiative aims to support Singapore’s vision for sustainable urban development by optimizing underground spaces.
339-mile Quebec-to-NYC hydropower line enters last stage of construction
The Champlain Hudson Power Express, a 339-mile underground and underwater power line designed to deliver Canadian hydropower to New York City, has entered its final installation phase.
Promoting research, development and training in underground infrastructure construction, renewal technologies
The Center for Underground Infrastructure Research and Education (CUIRE) at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) has been actively involved in advancing technologies such as trenchless rehabilitation methods, underground infrastructure renewal and supporting government and industry in innovation within this field.
UK's Halma expands into trenchless drilling with Brownline acquisition
Halma plc, a UK-based HSE company with global reach, has acquired Brownline, a Netherlands-based provider of smart, trenchless underground drilling technology. The $175 million deal represents a strategic expansion into infrastructure resilience and energy transition technologies for Halma’s Environmental & Analysis sector.
Hartford, Conn., begins $316 million underground transmission upgrade
Eversource is rolling out a $316 million underground transmission line modernization in Hartford, replacing 7 miles of aged oil-filled cable with safer, longer-lasting XLPE technology.
MTA awards $1.97 billion tunnel-boring contract for subway expansion
New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Board has awarded a $1.97 billion tunnel-boring contract for Phase 2 of the Second Avenue Subway project. Connect Plus Partners, a joint venture between Halmar International and FCC Construction, will conduct tunnel boring between 35 and 120 feet below Second Avenue using 750-ton machines equipped with 22-foot drill heads.
Celebrate excellence: Underground Infrastructure Awards now open for submissions
Celebrate innovation in underground infrastructure. Submit your project for the 2025 UI Awards, honoring excellence in HDD, fiber, water, sewer, gas, power, asset management, and emerging technologies.
Florida city set to finish first phase of $18 million underground power line project
Gulf Breeze, Fla., is nearing completion of phase one in its $18 million project to move utility lines underground, a major step toward boosting storm resilience and reducing prolonged outages.
Colorado approves $1.9 billion wildfire mitigation plan with undergrounding, grid hardening
Colorado regulators approved Xcel Energy’s $1.9 billion wildfire mitigation plan, which includes undergrounding power lines, replacing aging infrastructure, and expanding fire risk monitoring to protect communities.
NYC subway flooding ignites concerns over stormwater infrastructure
Officials in New York are re-examining the city's infrastructure and stormwater systems following flash flooding last week that inundated parts of the city's underground subway system.
Exodigo raises $96 million to expand AI underground mapping for U.S., global projects
Underground mapping innovator Exodigo has secured $96 million in funding, doubling its valuation based on global demand from utility, transportation and infrastructure leaders. Exodigo's technology focuses on mapping buried pipes, wires and utility assets, to make designing and constructing new buildings, highways, subways, and other massive infrastructure projects safer and avoid unnecessary excavation.
Celebrate excellence: Underground Infrastructure awards now open for submissions
Celebrate innovation in underground infrastructure. Submit your project for the 2025 UI Awards, honoring excellence in HDD, fiber, water, sewer, gas, power, asset management, and emerging technologies.
Japan plans to bury 13,500 miles of power lines by 2030 to protect disaster routes
Japan’s infrastructure ministry plans to bury thousands of miles of power lines by 2030 to protect disaster routes and modernize city landscapes.
135 miles of natural gas infrastructure to be upgraded throughout Michigan
Consumers Energy is updating its statewide natural gas system with 135 miles of major construction projects in 15 Michigan communities this summer, the company announced on Monday. The ongoing construction work will replace existing cast iron and steel pipelines, some of which are more than a century old.
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.
- 27 pipeline safety violations tied to deadly Pa. chocolate factory explosion
- Contractor gas line strike triggers home explosion in Missouri
- FiberLight to build 1,400-mile West Texas dark fiber network in $350 million expansion
- Fatal trench collapse in Mass. leads to $4.6 million OSHA penalty, dozens of violations
- OSHA investigates fatal trench collapse at Conroe construction site
- T-Mobile to expand fiber broadband infrastructure footprint with $4.9 billion Metronet acquisition
- Cityside launches $100 million fiber build in Corona, Calif.
- FiberLight to build 1,400-mile West Texas dark fiber network in $350 million expansion
- Alaska fiber buildout to expand broadband in rural communities
- 11-mile Texas pipeline replacement upgrades 72-in. PCCP to 102-in. steel