June 2009 Vol. 64 No. 6

The Equipment Selection Guide for 2009 is here! See the specs, horsepower, and capabilities, model by model, from the industry leaders in every division of the underground construction equipment market. <a href="http://www.undergroundconstructionmagazine.com/sites/default/files/UC 2009 ESG.pdf">Download it here</a>

The 2009 Pipe Selection Guide is now available for download!

That the United States (and world) economies are mired in a deep recession is old news. For the horizontal directional drilling industry, this recession is much broader than in 2001 when the telecommunications market imploded.

Downhole tools are critical components of the horizontal directional drilling (HDD) process—no project can be completed without them. The wrong tools for soil conditions can result in excessive equipment wear and slow production—or even make it impossible to complete a job.

Many Floridians and other Americans may take for granted the lagoons that contribute to the nation’s ecosystems.

Pro Pipe Services, Energy Contract Services and Mears Group Inc. set a high standard in safety, design and planning on a recently completed horizontal directional drilling project.

What acts like solid rock, but really isn’t rock and is located in the heart of the Midwest? That’s a good question, and Tim Huttmann with TH Construction Company, based in Omaha, NE, knows the answer.

Along with most segments of the economy, the horizontal directional drilling (HDD) industry is seriously affected by a worldwide recession.

The Michels Corporation is celebrating its 50th year in business in 2009, marking its evolution from a small contractor specializing in gas pipeline construction to one of North America's largest, multi division utility contractors.

As the water distribution infrastructure continues to deteriorate across North America, there is a continued need to develop pipeline rehabilitation methods that are cost effective and minimally disruptive, while also minimizing the time a pipe must be taken out of service.

The single-day conference drew a record 519 attendees who came to hear 15 top industry executives discuss new and ongoing pipeline projects, technological advancements to help natural gas and product pipeline operators, and a member of Alaskan Gov. Sarah Palin’s pipeline team presented an overview about the long-planned Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline Project.

The Pipe Line Contractors Association of Canada recently held its 55th annual convention at the historic Fairmont Empress Hotel located along the scenic inner harbor of Victoria, BC, Canada.

Dr. Ray Sterling, director of the Trenchless Technology Center (TTC) at Louisiana Tech University since 1995, has retired but will continue his association with the center as a part time research professor.

Buyers of used HDD equipment want to get a quality drill at the best possible price. On the other hand, sellers hope to move equipment at a price that matches its value. What can sellers do to get top dollar?

Keeping up to date with the latest technology and techniques to boost productivity is more important than ever in today’s marketplace.

FERC moved closer to approving construction of one of the three big Oregon LNG projects as well as a major new pipeline in the Southeast.

Questions are beginning to arise from states and localities about the requirements for spending the water infrastructure funds in the stimulus bill, called the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009.

The EZ Dig Pro is a real-time depth control system for excavators and backhoes.

The new Thread Head beacon housing was created with the punishing downhole conditions of HDD in mind.

With the new SL 1000 Manhole System, egeplast provides a monolithic wastewater manhole made from PE material.

The V!SA Confined Space Monitor requires minimal training with one-button operation.

The KX121-3 Super Series compact excavator with optional 6-in-1 hydraulic blade offers extended tilt functions.

The new Cat 314D CR and 314D LCR hydraulic excavators are compact-radius models with a new fuel-efficient Cat C4.2 ACERT engine.

Easy Cut LLC implemented its Easy Cut pipe cutting system on an infrastructure jobsite adjacent to the I-20 interstate project in Augusta, GA.

Super Products has released a DVD that highlights its Camel sewer and catch basin cleaners.

Thompson’s PW Series Piston Wellpoint pumps are efficient self-priming positive displacement pumps.

Kennametal Inc. has introduced new trenching and surface mining tool blocks, designated MTB1 and MTB2S MyT Blocks.

TT Technologies' Grundomat pneumatic piercing tool is economical, versatile and environmentally friendly.

Vanguard ADA Systems introduces a larger, 17-inch DisposaCone made out of renewable resources that provides a weather resistant, portable and temporary barricade.

Florida lawmakers secure state’s energy future Orange County water system wins national civil engineering award National Energy Board has busiest year

Matthew Hinkson, P.E., discussed the city of San Antonio’s most recently completed project to improve the city’s sanitary sewer system - the Western Watershed Sewer Relief Line (W-04) project.

The city council in Willmar, MN, voted to approve a savings of $50,000 and reduce the risk of failure by letting a contractor use a different tunneling method.

Despite a weak current construction environment, pipe demand is expected to turn around and grow 2.0 percent annually to 11.1 billion feet in 2013.

This issue contains the 2009 edition of <em>Underground Construction</em>’s annual horizontal directional drilling survey. This industry-exclusive research always provides an insightful perspective as to the direction and health of this vibrant young industry.

Case Construction Equipment is sponsoring the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association’s Scholarship Foundation.

NSF International announced that IPEX Inc., a leader in thermoplastic piping systems, is the first molecularly oriented polyvinyl chloride (PVCO) pressure pipe manufacturer to receive certification to ASTM F1483 and AWWA C909 standards for pressure pipes.

Thermoset Resins/Interplastic AEM/Cooper Hong Inc. Volvo CE BHC RHODES