November 2013, Vol. 68 No. 11

Sunbelt Rentals, Fort Mill, SC, has acquired MAC Leasing, a multi-location rental and financing arm of North Dakota-based manufacturing company MAC.

Sherman + Reilly, a Textron Inc. company, has named NESCO Rents its national rental partner. “With its focus on safety and the introduction of an entirely new generation of overhead and underground pullers and tensioners, Sherman + Reilly represents an ideal step forward for NESCO”, said NESCO CEO, Lee Jacobson.

United Rentals Inc. has announced the further expansion of its specialty branch network with the addition of three locations dedicated to providing power generation and climate control solutions.

The equipment rental industry in the United States continues to outpace gross domestic product (GDP) in the U.S. by four times in 2013, according to American Rental Association’s (ARA) latest forecast from the ARA Rental Market Monitor.

Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz has announced awards totaling approximately $30 million for the development of new tools and technologies to strengthen protection of the nation’s electric grid and oil and gas infrastructure from cyber-attack.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has launched Public Sector Safety and Health Fundamentals, a new certificate program that provides public sector employees training on occupational safety and health to reduce injuries, illnesses and fatalities among workers in state and local governments.

The Toro Company broke ground recently on a $25 million expansion in Bloomington, MN, that the company has called home for over 50 years. The project begins the process of expanding the company’s product development and test capacities, demonstrating its continued commitment to innovation.

Hobas Pipe USA, which continues to serve its customers with extensive field support, announces the addition of two new representatives.

Derrick Pursley, a horizontal directional drill (HDD) operator and Texas native, was crowned the Ultimate Operator on the opening day of the International Construction and Utility Equipment Exposition (ICUEE) in Louisville, KY, held in October.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), in response to a request from Governor Rick Perry’s office, has established a water project liaison within the TCEQ to assist and coordinate with the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) in implementing House Bill 4.

Jerry Shaw, president of SAK Construction, has been named the 2014 Most Valuable Professional (MVP) by award sponsors Underground Construction Technology Association (UCTA) and Underground Construction magazine. The MVP Award is bestowed annually to an individual for outstanding contributions to the underground infrastructure industry.

Applied Felts now offers its latest innovation in CIPP liner technology — AquaCure RP — a breakthrough liner that combines fiberglass reinforcement with Applied Felts’ existing, best-in-class felt liner design and construction.

The ALLU 3D Positioning System is the newest addition to the ALLU Group Inc. lineup of specialized products for mass stabilization in the geotechnical market and solidification/stabilization (S/S) in the remediation market.

Rain for Rent, a leading provider of temporary liquid handling solutions and rental pumps, tanks, pipe, filtration and spill containment, has launched RiteFlo, a free app that offers a comprehensive suite of hydraulic estimation tools designed for water and wastewater professionals.

The Ditch Witch organization introduces the RT120 Quad, a utility tractor with the power, heavy-duty frame and traction necessary for long installations of large-diameter pipe on the most challenging jobsites.

The new DCX5000 Command Center grants fingertip access to all ROVVER X system functions from a single interface.

Tensar North American Green is launching the VMax W3000 high performance turf reinforcement mat (HPTRM), which provides increased strength and protection for effective erosion control and maximum vegetation establishment.

Southland Tool’s new patented Ultimate Manhole Hook – the Pook – is a must-have for everyone in the sewer and waste water cleaning industries. The Pook is a super strong, heavy duty pick and manhole hook.

Condux Tesmec hydraulic pullers, tensioners and puller-tensioners offer advanced features like negative self-acting hydraulic brakes, integrated hydraulic dynamometers, hydraulic cooling systems, complete user controls and more.

The patented Barricade Bracket has been designed to enhance the work zone by forming an enclosed, impenetrable work area.

Designed for use on excavators ranging in size from 15 to 25 tons, the Montabert CPA 225E drilling attachment enables operators to transition from digging to drilling in a matter of minutes.

ICON offers lightweight aluminum hydraulic shoring as one of the safest, most versatile means and methods of shoring even the most difficult excavation.

The 2013 McElroy Fusion Catalog and Reference Guide is the prominent sourcebook for pipe fusion equipment, accessories and critical information within the pipe joining industry.

In pipeline construction, welder’s assistants know the value of periodically switching the mounting position in order to maintain the speed and effectiveness of weld cleaning brushes.

The opening ceremony of a second production line of the cured-in-place-pipe (CIPP) products NORDIPIPE and NORDIFORCE from SEKISUI NordiTube Inc. was held in Hammond, LA, on Aug. 20. The inauguration was performed by Kozo Takami, president of Urban Infrastructure & Environmental Products Company of SEKISUI Chemical Co. Ltd., a shareholder of SEKISUI NordiTube Inc.

Advertisers from the print edition of <em>Underground Construction</em>, November 2013, Vol. 68 No. 11.

<em>Underground Construction</em>’s 2013 census of large horizontal directional drilling contractors is an effective tool when selecting the right size of drill rig to fit specific project needs in managing a successful HDD operation.

There was a time when engineers designed structures to last for eternity. Since the beginning of mankind, civilizations have desired to create an enduring legacy through their architecture. Engineers from ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Greece and Rome did not build their fabulous structures and monuments with the intention of having them repaired every 50 years.

Spectra Energy Corp. announced that Sabal Trail Transmission, LLC, a joint venture of Spectra Energy and NextEra Energy, Inc., has been awarded a 465-mile interstate natural gas pipeline project by Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) to begin service in May 2017.

<em>Underground Construction</em> and <em>Pipeline & Gas Journal</em>’s pipeline construction survey indicates that 77,318 miles of pipelines around the world are in various stages of construction and planned. Of these, 33,205 represent projects in the planning and engineering phase and 44,113 are in various stages of construction.

From design and planning through securing-right-of-way, permitting, logistics of getting equipment and material in place and actual construction, utility projects can be complex and challenging. Often environmental issues and public concerns further complicate the job.

Energy pipeline construction often brings to mind big, powerful machines moving across frequently rugged open country digging trench in which pipe is placed.

During his 30 years in the energy business, Barry Davis has no doubt heard a fair amount of bluster and hyperbole about “big projects.” Yet, even a brief talk with the Crosstex president and CEO about the Cajun-Sibon expansion project leaves the listener keenly aware that in his mind there can be no understating the importance of this endeavor to his company.

A major sewer rehabilitation program is under way in the city of Indianapolis addressing a backlog of structural repair and inflow and infiltration issues.

Medium and large excavators from Kobelco, John Deere, Doosan, Volvo Construction Equipment, Hitachi, Case, Hyundai Construction Equipment Americas and Caterpillar.

Wheel loaders from John Deere, Doosan, New Holland, CASE, Volvo Construction Equipment and Caterpillar.

We’ve talked a lot in recent years about the “disruptive” influence of horizontal directional drilling upon the underground construction industry. HDD is a technology that has forever changed the way contractors, engineers and owners approach their construction projects.

The withdrawal of the White House nominee for the FERC chairmanship reflects the intensity of the political wars between Democrats and Republicans in Washington, the heavy-handed Obama administration and miscues by Binz, a former Colorado Public Utility Commission Chairman.