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In the underground construction industry, the fact that American sewers are overtaxed and given to overflows that endanger public health is no secret. But raising public awareness is a problem, and we're happy to see items in the general interest press like Sunday's New York Times article focusing on the issue: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/23/us/23sewer.html?_r=2&hp (free registration many be required).

At Caterpillar and PipeLine Machinery’s all-day event at the Sam Houston Race Park Oct. 15, a full schedule and a wide array of topics combined to bring pipeline owners, contractors and engineers together for a day of expo and education. <a href="http://undergroundconstructionmagazine.com/caterpillar-and-plm%E2%80%99s-advanced-technology-pipeline-industry#inside">Education sessions</a> <a href="http://undergroundconstructionmagazine.com/caterpillar-and-plm%E2%80%99s-advanced-technology-pipeline-industry?page=2#outside">Demonstrations and equipment closeups</a>

Day 1 of ICUEE 2009 had some cold, wet weather and some hot new product launches. What’s new with Vermeer, Ditch Witch, McLaughlin, Paladin and more, plus photos and updates from the ground in Louisville, KY.

Day 2 at ICUEE started out chilly but clear and sunny, and the convention breathed a collective sigh of relief. Since it was a little slow to warm up, though, most of Underground Construction started the day off indoors. <a href="http://undergroundconstructionmagazine.com/ucon-icuee-day-1" title="Day 1">Read the Day 1 recap</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/UConOnline" title="UCon on Twitter" target="_blank">Follow us on Twitter</a>

The third day of ICUEE was slower than the two preceding it, and a lot of booths were quiet inside in the morning as people focused on last-minute demos and deals or took the closing hours to go see what they’d missed. The heavy gray sky made clear that any outdoor activity was a limited-time opportunity, so Underground Construction headed for the last chance at exhibits we’d been hearing about. <a href="http://undergroundconstructionmagazine.com/ucon-icuee-day-1">Read the Day 1 Recap</a> <a href="http://undergroundconstructionmagazine.com/ucon-icuee-day-2">Read the Day 2 Recap</a>

UCT announces the 2009 UCT@ICUEE program, featuring speakers, educational sessions, networking opportunities and the chance to earn Continuing Education Units or Professional Development Hours. <a href="/sites/default/files/icueeprog09.pdf" target="_blank">Click here (PDF)</a> to see the full program for session times and scheduled speakers. This year's program focuses on: <strong>Advanced HDD Underground Utilities Power and Telecom Wind Powers Industry Growth Utility Operations Green Utility Construction</strong> and more!

Case Construction Equipment announced August 30 that it will be a platinum-level sponsor of the 16th Annual National Gas Rodeo. The competition will be held Sept. 17-18, 2010, in Fairview Heights, Ill. Case will be the exclusive provider of construction equipment for the event, which includes loader/backhoes and compact excavators.

Are you missing out on ICUEE this year? Going, but not sure how to cram everything into your schedule? Watch this space. <em>Underground Construction</em> is bringing you the highlights of the underground experience at ICUEE as we blog from the show. We'll have product sneak previews, quotes from the movers and shakers, the lowdown on what will move the underground industry next year and much more from the Demo Expo.

The Associated General Contractors of America (AGCA) announced August 31 that according to its analysis of federal employment data, construction jobs dropped in 276 out of 337 metro areas between July 2009 and 2010. Chicago and Flagstaff, Arizona lost the most jobs, while Prince Georges-Calvert-Charles counties, MD and Eau Claire, Wisconsin topped the list of areas adding jobs.

The second edition of the McElroy Road Show 2010 is under way. This traveling exhibition of pipe fusion machines and productivity tools is slated to have more than 50 stops at various locations across North America.

Reed Manufacturing reports that with different blades, its UPCs can cut 6" – 48" (150-1300 mm) steel, ductile iron, cast iron, clay, concrete, PVC or PE pipe in one revolution.