Utility Infrastructure
Ditch Witch West sells first Bulldog trencher to speed up undergrounding work along West Coast
Ditch Witch West has sold its first Bulldog trencher, designed by UK manufacturer Mastenbroek, to Cox and Cox Construction, a full-service underground utility contractor licensed in California and Nevada. Mastenbroek designed the Bulldog for underground utility installation, particularly in areas where overhead electrical cables could cause or be destroyed by forest fires.
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.
Dresser Utility Solutions acquires pipe-pulling tech firm Kobus
Dresser Utility Solutions has acquired Kobus, a U.S.- and U.K.-based provider of gas and water pipe pulling technology, in a move aimed at expanding Dresser’s infrastructure repair capabilities for utility customers.
CenterPoint finalizes sale of Louisiana, Mississippi gas utilities to Bernhard
CenterPoint Energy has completed the sale of its natural gas utilities in Louisiana and Mississippi to Bernhard Capital Partners. The transfer includes 12,000 miles of pipeline and 380,000 customers, with Delta Utilities assuming operations.
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.
Vermeer launches Verifier™ G1 to simplify utility detection for crews
Vermeer has introduced the Verifier™ G1 utility locator, a reliable and straightforward solution designed for utility contractors, utility owners and municipalities. The Verifier G1 locator eliminates complex menus and settings, enabling crews to locate utilities quickly and confidently.
H2scan’s HY-VAULT system improves safety for underground vault transformer monitoring
To reduce transformer failure risks, utilities traditionally use periodic manual oil sampling to assess asset health for these difficult-to-reach and potentially dangerous underground assets. H2scan's HY-VAULT™ system provides utilities with a cost-effective continuous monitoring solution that improves safety.
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.
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.
HYLAN launches new gas & pipeline division to transform infrastructure solutions
HYLAN, a market-leading provider of full-service turnkey communications solutions, electrical infrastructure design, and utility construction services, is expanding its capabilities with the launch of its new Pipeline Division.
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.
Texas infrastructure stuck at ‘C’ as energy, water systems struggle
The Texas Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has given the state’s infrastructure a cumulative grade of ‘C’ in its 2025 Texas Infrastructure Report Card—unchanged from 2021.
Bipartisan legislation reintroduced to protect utilities, ratepayers from PFAS costs
The Water Environment Federation (WEF) has expressed strong support for the reintroduction of the Water Systems PFAS Liability Protection Act. This bipartisan legislation aims to protect water utilities from undue financial burdens associated with PFAS cleanup under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).
Subsite launches UtiliView to simplify utility locating, mapping
Subsite has announced the launch of its new UtiliView™ utility mapping app. The app allows contractors to locate and map utlities more quickly and with fewer steps, and without having to download data transfer or convert files. Subsite's goal is to streamline mapping and subsequently save contractors significant time on locate jobs.
Minn. utility, excavation company acquired by Bituminous, expanding underground reach
According to Southwest News Media, G.F. Jedlicki, an underground utility and excavation company based in Chanhassen, Minn., has been acquired by Bituminous Roadways, a local asphalt company.
Consor acquires Murfee Engineering, strengthening water infrastructure capabilities
Consor Engineering has acquired Murfee Engineering Company (MEC), a Texas-based civil engineering firm specializing in water and wastewater. Consor has nearly five decades of experience delivering solutions to complex projects for government agencies, private clients and special utility and conservation districts in Texas.
Fiber broadband deployment costs stabilizing, report finds
The Fiber Broadband Association’s latest Fiber Deployment Cost Annual Report, conducted by Cartesian, shows that broadband service providers expect fiber deployment costs to remain steady or rise slightly—less than 10%—compared to 2024. This marks an improvement from the previous year’s study, which reported steeper cost increases.
Utility & communications construction update, 2025 outlook
Daniel Shumate, Managing Director, FMI Capital Advisors Inc. A cold October morning, looking down-range through the lenses of my pristine binoculars resulted in an image that could be described as mud. My grandfather leaned over and turned the focusing knob and told me to just keep looking through..
Precision Pipeline, MPE form DIG parent company to grow utility offering in Midwest
Precision Pipeline Services, a portfolio company of MPE Partners (MPE), has formed Delphi Infrastructure Group (DIG) with the goal to become the leading contractor in Midwest U.S. markets for underground work across the natural gas, electrical, telecommunications and water sectors.
Kim Rush named president of Portland utility NW Natural Gas
Northwest Natural Gas Company (NW Natural) has announced the appointment of Kim Rush as its next president, effective April 1, 2025. Rush, a 26-year veteran of the Portland-headquartered utility, will take on full strategic, financial, and operational responsibilities for the company.
Ridgewood Infrastructure sells stake in SiEnergy Regulated Utility
Ridgewood Infrastructure has sold its 80% interest in SiEnergy to Northwest Natural Holding Company. Since acquiring the business in 2019, Ridgewood Infrastructure has helped transform SiEnergy into one of the fastest-growing natural gas distribution utilities in the nation.
25th Utility Investigation School to take place January 2025 in Phoenix, Ariz.
The 25th Utility Investigation School (UIS), a joint initiative by the Buried Asset Management Institute-International (BAMI-I), the Utility Engineering and Surveying Institute (UESI), Purdue University, and Iowa State University, will take place January 27-31, 2025, at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
Azuria Water Solutions acquires Pipe Pros, expands Southeast utility services
Azuria Water Solutions has acquired Pipe Pros LLC, a Charlotte, North Carolina-based contractor specializing in sewer, sanitation, and storm utility services. The acquisition strengthens Azuria's presence in the Southeast and adds to its portfolio of technology-enabled water solutions.
Black Hills granted new Iowa utility rate approval, backing $100 million in pipeline investments
Black Hills Energy, the Iowa natural gas utility of Black Hills Corp. has received approval from the Iowa Utilities Commission for new rates. The rates are designed to recover approx. $100 million of pipeline system investments.
Hudson Tunnel Project utility relocation phase more than 50% complete, GDC says
The Gateway Development Commission (GDC) announced 50% completion of the Tonnelle Avenue Bridge and Utility Relocation Project. This work marks an essential phase of the Hudson Tunnel Project as it will create an access point for launching the Tunnel Boring Machines.
Pennsylvania 811 hits milestone with one millionth dig notification
Pennsylvania One Call System, Inc., dba Pennsylvania 811, recently hit a milestone with its one millionth dig notification received for the year on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 at 1516.
Aquarion Water Company closes $41M deal for municipal wastewater system in Ansonia, CT
Aquarion Water Company announced it has completed the purchase of the City of Ansonia's municipal wastewater system. The purchase marks the largest privatization of a municipal wastewater system in New England.
CGA report underscores progress, challenges of buried utilities damage prevention
The Common Ground Alliance (CGA), the national nonprofit trade association dedicated to protecting underground utility lines, people who dig near them and their communities, recently published its 2023 Damage Information Reporting Tool (DIRT) Report.
- 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
- Texas contractor penalized by OSHA for repeated trench safety violations
- Final construction phase kicks off for Indianapolis deep rock tunnel
- 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