Underground Infrastructure
CGA’s GIS case study highlighting value in facility mapping information
(UI) — Common Ground Alliance (CGA) recently released a groundbreaking case study as part of its Next Practices Initiative titled “PILOT: Improving Efficiency and Reducing Damages by Providing Ticket-Level Visualizations of Underground Facilities to Designers, Locators and Excavators.”
CGA’s DIRT report correlates infrastructure investment with increased excavation damage
(UI) — Common Ground Alliance (CGA), the national nonprofit trade association dedicated to protecting underground utility lines, people who dig near them and their communities, recently announced the findings from its 2022 Damage Information Reporting Tool (DIRT). It revealed concerning increases across key damage indicators.
Underground Infrastructure Awards ’24 finalists announced
The annual Underground Infrastructure Awards (UIA), the most comprehensive and prestigious program to recognize outstanding performance and technology for the entire underground infrastructure industry, has announced the finalists for the 2024 awards.
Century-old sewer system in Manning, S.C., to receive $10 million overhaul
Manning, a city with a charter dating back to 1861, has earmarked nearly $20 million for a substantial upgrade of its underground infrastructure. Set to commence in 2024, the primary focus of this effort is the city's sewer system, with an estimated project cost exceeding $10 million.
USIC collaborates to align utility locating resources with BEAD program infrastructure deployment
(UI) — USIC announced that is collaborating with state broadband leaders and internet service providers to ensure the utility locating resources required to support nationwide broadband deployment funded by $42.45 billion in Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program grants over the next five years.
US military to begin draining leaky fuel tank facility that poisoned Pearl Harbor drinking water
The military next week plans to begin draining fuel from World War II-era underground fuel tanks in Hawaii, nearly two years after the massive facility sickened 6,000 people when it leaked jet fuel into a Pearl Harbor drinking water well.
Contractor killed in San Francisco trench collapse, prompts investigation
(UI) — A contractor in San Francisco's Lower Haight died on Sept. 28 after a trench beneath a sidewalk collapsed. While five workers managed to escape, one male worker became trapped under eight feet of dirt and debris.
Manhattan Beach, Calif., resumes underground utility line project after two-year hiatus
(UI) — In a significant development, the underground utility line project in Manhattan Beach is set to continue, following its suspension in 2021. The city has stepped in to support the endeavor, which will involve burying power, cable, internet, and phone lines for homes and buildings in two northern Manhattan Beach neighborhoods.
Foley Products acquires underground stormwater storage technology patents
(UI) — Foley Products Company LLC and Pre-Con Products have agreed to assign all the patents and trademarks for StormPrism, an underground stormwater storage solution, to Foley in the United States and Canada.
Schnabel Engineering acquires tunnel expert JCK Underground
(UI) – Schnabel Engineering, a leading provider of tunnel, dam, geotechnical, and infrastructure engineering, has announced its acquisition of JCK Underground, an industry recognized leader in tunnel engineering.
Montana telecom completes $11 million, 380-mile fiber cable burial project
(UI) — Blackfoot Communications, headquartered in Missoula, has recently celebrated the successful culmination of a six-year endeavor, entailing an $11 million investment, to install more than 380 miles of cutting-edge fiber optic cable within the Flathead Reservation vicinity around St. Ignatius, according to Government Technology.
Tachus to invest $100 million in Texas fiber optic network expansion
(UI) — Tachus Fiber Internet, a Texas-based provider, has unveiled plans to inject $100 million into expanding its state-of-the-art XGS Fiber Network. The network is set to revolutionize internet connectivity, offering ultra-fast multi-gig speeds to both homes and businesses in the Southwest Houston region.
Beaumont, Texas, unveils $123 million plan to overhaul water infrastructure
(UI) — This intricate plan, spanning five years, carries a substantial price tag of $123 million, with a significant portion, $43 million, allocated to the replacement and maintenance of water pipelines during this period.
D.C.'s $583 million sewer overflow prevention tunnel now active
(UI) — In a significant milestone for Washington, D.C.'s ambitious Clean Rivers Project, the $583 million Northeast Boundary Tunnel has officially gone into service, marking the completion of the largest segment in a five-part, $2.7 billion system aimed at combatting chronic sewer overflows throughout the city.
Sewer gas leak hospitalizes four DC high school students
(UI) — Four high school students from McKinley Tech High School in Washington, D.C., have been hospitalized due to hydrogen sulfide, commonly known as sewer gas.
Underground construction enters the virtual reality universe
(UI) — The Super Witch is incredibly popular, and at CONEXPO, the Metaverse offered a chance for people to put on the VR headset, pick up the corresponding hand controllers, and find themselves inside the cab.
IQ Fiber begins construction on $40 million fiber-optic network in Gainesville, Fla.
(UI) — IQ Fiber, North Florida’s only local residential fiber-optic internet service provider, has commenced construction on its 100% fiber-optic network in Northwest Gainesville and Alachua County. IQ Fiber’s initial Phase 1 investment is estimated at $40 million.
South Dakota panel denies application for CO2 pipeline; Summit to refile for permit
South Dakota regulators on Monday rejected a permit application for a proposed carbon dioxide pipeline through the state, dealing a fresh setback to the company behind the multistate project after North Dakota refused a siting permit for another leg there.
AT&T fiber optic cable vandalism sparks investigation in Tuolumne County, Calif.
(UI) — The Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office is actively seeking assistance from the public regarding a recent act of vandalism that occurred on Aug. 30, resulting in a widespread disruption of cell service throughout Tuolumne County, California.
Arkansas lawmakers approve underground tunnel on State Capitol Grounds
(UI) — State legislators in Arkansas have granted their endorsement for the creation of an underground corridor linking the state Capitol with a nearby structure housing meeting spaces and legislative offices. The project, which surpasses $3.6 million in budget, has garnered increased backing in recent months.
PG&E initiates underground power line placement in Magalia, Calif.
(UI) — In Magalia, a significant transformation is underway as power lines are being placed underground. While the current cost of burying power lines is approximately $3.75 million per mile, PG&E anticipates a reduction to about $2.8 million per mile by 2026. The utility company asserts that despite the expense, the advantages of underground lines in high fire-risk areas are abundant.
Houston and San Antonio face sewer, water struggles amid central US deadly heat wave
Deadly heat has gripped Texas for much of the summer and has now spread into other parts of the central U.S., where it is expected to persist for days. Triple-digit temperatures are buckling roads, straining water systems, and posing a threat to the power grid of the nation’s energy capital.
Xcel Energy building underground barrier to contain radioactive water in Minnesota
The energy company responsible for leaking radioactive material from its nuclear plant in Monticello, Minnesota, in recent months has announced that it will build an underground metal barrier to keep affected groundwater away from the nearby Mississippi River.
Austin Energy underground powerline study granted approval in city council budget
(UI) — A significant portion—57%—of Austin Energy's power lines are already underground. However, the focus of this study is the remaining 5,000 miles of above-ground lines. The analysis aims to identify economically and environmentally viable areas for the transition.
Underground gas leak unlikely cause of fatal Pennsylvania house blast
It is unlikely that natural gas seeped from an abandoned underground mine and caused a house explosion in western Pennsylvania last weekend that killed six people, state officials said Friday.
Duke’s Root Control and UIS join forces to enhance underground service offerings
(UI) — Duke’s Root Control Inc. acquires Underground Infrastructure Services (UIS) of Livonia, Mich., significantly expanding its wastewater and gas inspection and remediation services, including inspection and replacement for water, gas, cable, and electrical utilities.
LUMA's $180 million underground transmission overhaul receives Puerto Rico’s approval
(UI) — LUMA's $180 million project proposal intends to repair and harden important underground transmission system components whose prospective breakdowns might jeopardize the system's dependability and resilience.
Caltech research reveals underground fiber optic cables as effective earthquake detectors
(UI) — In California, a network of underground fiber optic cables serves as a vital internet connectivity conduit. However, a Caltech study showed that these underground cables could function as earthquake sensors, detecting and quantifying seismic activity.
Joint project aims to enhance wastewater capacity, infrastructure in Ridgefield, Washington
(UI) — In a collaborative effort, the Port of Ridgefield, City of Ridgefield, and Clark Regional Wastewater District are teaming up for a joint project that aims to enhance wastewater capacity and infrastructure in Ridgefield, Washington.
PG&E gains ground on undergrounding 10,000 miles of power lines
(UI) — The largest project in the country to bury electricity lines underground is being carried out by Pacific Gas and Electric Company, and it is on target to finish this year. The utility intends to bury 10,000 miles of wires, and work on this project is progressing mile by mile and county by county.
- HDD industry faces challenges as cities push back on fiber drilling disruptions
- 2 workers killed, 1 injured while working on sewer line in Mobile, Ala.
- $5.3 billion, 516-mile pipeline to connect Texas to Arizona through New Mexico
- Tunnel boring continues under Chesapeake Bay for $3.9 billion HRBT Expansion project
- Judge approves construction for key portion of $485 million pipeline in Larimer County, Colo.
- New products: Latest industry developments
- 31 workers rescued after LA tunnel partially collapses
- Ohio Supreme Court rules sewer line location isn’t a ‘defect’ in property dispute
- Faulconer Construction begins rock blasting for water pipeline project in Charlottesville, Va.
- $5.3 billion, 516-mile pipeline to connect Texas to Arizona through New Mexico