June 2012, Vol. 67 No. 6

Advertisers from the print edition of Underground Construction, June 2012, Vol. 67 No. 6.

In mid-April, Midwest Mole Inc., an Indianapolis-based contracting firm specializing in trenchless technology, will moved into a new facility approximately 10 miles east of its old headquarters.

Dura-Line Holdings Inc., a portfolio company of Chicago-based CHS Capital, has completed the acquisition of PolyPipe Holdings Inc. from the Halifax Group. Terms of the sale were not disclosed.

As part of a continued commitment to expand its presence and serve its customers, Hunting Trenchless announces the addition of two sales managers to its growing team of trenchless experts.

Southern Trenchless’ Manhole Mortar structural repair product system is now approved for use by the city of Houston’s Public Works and Engineering Department.

The 2012 edition of Underground Construction's comprehensive Equipment Selection guide, with industrywide surveys on everything from auger boring to vacuum excavators, wheel loaders, pipe fusion and skid steers. <a href="http://www.undergroundconstructionmagazine.com/sites/default/files/UC June 12_ESG.pdf"> Browse the guide</a>

Traditionally, the June issue of Underground Construction carries a large section focused on various equipment utilized in the underground construction industry. I’m pleased to say this issue is no different.

Depending upon where you are located and what niche drives your business, the horizontal directional drilling market for 2012 is a mix of strong, mediocre and stagnant. But where business is good, it is very, very good.

In March, more than 260 power and communications professionals and their families headed for the hills outside of San Antonio, TX, for the 67th annual Power and Communication Contractors Association convention.

Underground Construction’s sister publication, Pipeline & Gas Journal, in partnership with the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA), held its eighth annual Pipeline Opportunities Conference April 4, at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston. This industry benchmark event drew more than 400 attendees.

For more than a year, the styrene industry and professional organizations that represent its varied interests have focused on challenging efforts to designate styrene as a “reasonably anticipated carcinogen” by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Pipe bursting is a reliable and proven method of replacement of deteriorated or under capacity utility lines. The IPBA has developed a recurring series of technical articles and this article is written with the understanding that the reader has an advanced knowledge of pipe bursting and risk management associated with a pipe bursting project.

Following the establishment of the University of Nebraska in 1869, its Lincoln campus was laid out on four city blocks. University Hall, its first building, was an imposing structure standing on the prairie, well away from the city’s center.

If you have come to the realization that you need a mud recycler, now what? Where do you start? What do you need to know to make the best informed decision?

Upcoming changes to diesel engine-driven welders have become a subject of recent discussion throughout the welding industry in light of ongoing efforts by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Vermeer has introduced a new horizontal directional drilling (HDD) rock drilling system employing rotating magnets that generate a high-frequency percussive action to drill through rock formations.

Water crossings -- installing utilities under streams, rivers, lakes and other bodies of water -- are among the most significant benefits offered by horizontal directional drilling technology.

Stainless pipe supports by RELINER®/Duran Inc. are easily installed adjustable clamping pipe brackets made of non-corrosive 11 gauge 304 stainless.

The RTX150 is the newest member in the Vermeer line of pedestrian trenchers designed specifically for rental outlets and utility contractors to assist in the installation of irrigation lines, drainage tiles, and gas and electric lines.

Bobcat introduces a new extendable arm option for the M-Series E55 compact excavator. The extendable arm option provides an additional 30 inches of reach, when fully extended.

Five models of Dewatering and Sludge Pumps offer continuous operation at low water levels and extended dry runs without overheating the motor. These portable, submergible pumps are excellent for manholes, vaults, construction sites and all dewatering needs.

Atlas Copco’s new addition to its heavy hydraulic breaker line, the HB 4100, provides better performance and higher efficiency than the preceding model and weighs less.

RIDGID introduces the RIDGID CrossChek Inspection System which allows a visual inspection of a bore slot before installing a new utility to help reduce the likelihood of cross bores.

Goulds Water Technology has enhanced its line of submersible sump pumps with the addition of two energy-efficient residential STS sump pumps. The STS sump pumps are available in two models, the STS21 (1/4 hp) and the STS31 (1/3 hp).

The heavy-duty HT300 rock trencher is capable of trenching up to 10-feet deep and 36-inches wide in the most extreme jobsite conditions.

The Obama administration took its first two regulatory steps -- one final, one tentative -- toward guarding against air and ground water pollution from fracking.

Mattracks rubber track conversion systems are often referred to as the “most extreme off-road accessory available.” Equipping your 4x4 vehicle with Mattracks provides a capable, four-track-drive, on/off road machine.

Volvo Construction Equipment’s recent customer event held in Lock Haven, PA, ended on a high note with a strong showing of pipeline contractors on hand to check out the company’s new PL3005 Pipelayer.

Miller Electric Mfg. Co. has introduced the new Multimatic 200, an all-in-one portable multi-process welding power source capable of performing MIG, Stick and TIG welding processes in one compact design.

Roger E. Dollar, 49, of Orlando, FL, passed away on April 20, after a two-year battle with cancer. Born in El Dorado, AR, Dollar earned a Bachelor in Industry Management from Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, AR.

Jack G. Guelker, age 85, of Kingsbury, TX, died on March 24. Guelker, a World War II veteran, was a general superintendent and partner with Gregory & Cook Inc.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood and Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl recently recognized NiSource Inc. for its pipeline infrastructure modernization and replacement investment.

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has received the 2012 National Environmental Achievement Special Recognition Award by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) for ASCE’s work on creating the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure, along with the American Public Works Association and the American Council of Engineering Companies.

Precision Pipeline LLC has been awarded a contract by Energy Transfer-Lone Star Pipeline to install approximately 133 miles of 16-inch pipeline in Val Verde and Zavala Counties, TX.

According to a newly completed market study by Applied Market Information Ltd. (AMI Consulting), in 2012, the total volume of plastic raw materials used in the production of pipes in Europe will exceed 1.9 million tonnes. The total value of the European gravity pipes market is estimated at circa EUR 6.5 billion.

On April 12, American Rivers, the Water Environment Federation, the American Society of Landscape Architects, and ECONorthwest released Banking on Green: How Green Infrastructure Saves Municipalities Money and Provides Economic Benefits Community-wide.

Stronger than expected job creation and the beginning of a construction industry recovery means gains in real construction spending will materialize this year after seven years of consecutive declines. According to the new forecast from the Portland Cement Association (PCA), increases in cement consumption will follow.

In April, the Maryland Public Service Commission directed four state utilities to sign long-term agreements with a developer to build a 661 MW natural gas fired plant in Waldorf.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on April 16 approved plans by units of Cheniere Energy Partners to add up to four modular trains of natural-gas liquefaction and export capability to an existing liquefied-natural gas terminal in Cameron Parish, LA.

The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) approved by resolution a loan in the amount of $48,750,000 from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund to the city of Houston (Harris County) to finance the construction of wastewater system improvements.

The Comprehensive Water Main Break Rate Study for the United States and Canada compiles the collective experience of 188 utilities which can be used for making future critical pipe replacement decisions. Highlights of the Comprehensive Water Main Break Study include a new national metric for citizens served per one mile of pipe, aggregate data on pipe material break rates, analysis of age and corrosion in failure modes, and related observations on pressure, temperature and trenchless technology practices.