August 2014, Vol. 69, No. 8

John T. Schmidt, vice president of RCP Integrity Services, passed away unexpectedly on June 4.

America’s interstate natural gas transmission industry has made great strides in recent years in reducing the amount of natural gas released from pipeline systems, thanks in part to pipeline safety efforts and modernization and expansion projects to ensure system reliability and resiliency.

Three speakers including Oklahoma Rep. Jim Bridenstine will share their knowledge and expertise with attendees of The Pipeline & Energy Expo, a three-day oil, gas and pipeline energy conference and trade show with industry networking and professional development opportunities, August 25-27, at the Cox Center in Tulsa.

Total U.S. construction machinery exports for first quarter 2014 totaled $4.292 billion compared to $5.287 billion in the first quarter of 2013 – a drop of 18.8 percent, according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), citing U.S. Department of Commerce data.

The AECOM Technology Corporation announced that it has been awarded a $91-million contract by Miami-Dade County commissioners in Florida to oversee $1.6 billion in federally mandated repairs to the county’s sewer system.

Launched on the eve of UN World Environment Day, Volvo Construction Equipment is hosting a new initiative working with partners to drive sustainability across the construction industry.

Energy Transfer Partners, a Houston, TX-based company, says a subsidiary—ET Rover Pipeline Company LLC —intends to build an interstate pipeline to move natural gas from the Marcellus and Utica shale gas formations in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio to a terminal in Ontario, Canada.

As part of its family succession planning process, Vermeer Corporation announced that third-generation family member, Jason Andringa, will serve as the company’s next President & CEO effective Nov. 1, 2015. On Nov. 1, 2014, Jason will assume the role of President & Chief Operating Officer for one year, when he will transition to the role of President & CEO of Vermeer Corporation. He currently serves as President of Forage and Environmental Solutions. “Gary Vermeer, my grandfather and Vermeer founder, was very influential

Hyundai Construction Equipment Americas, Inc., a leading earth moving and material handling equipment manufacturer is pleased to announce the appointment of Lyle Machinery to their rapidly growing dealer network.

S&N Communications, a provider of construction and maintenance services to telecomm, cable and utility companies in 40 states, was recently awarded with the 2014 Best of Roanoke Award in the Construction & Remodeling Contractors category.

Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) inaugurated its world class North American Customer Center with a ribbon cutting by Congressman Bill Shuster, Congressman Lou Barletta, Congressman Scott Perry, Volvo CE Americas President Göran Lindgren, Swedish Ambassador to the United States Björn Lyrvall and other dignitaries.

Lokring Technology LLC, producers of advanced fluid and gas transfer connectors, has issued a new version of its Guideline for Designing ASME B31 Pressure Piping Using Lokring Elastic Strain Preload (ESP) Fittings.

The St. Louis Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) marked a milestone May 19 when a 150-ton tunnel boring machine (TBM) broke through the final few feet on the 11¼-foot diameter, 3,200 linear foot Lemay Redundant Force Main beneath the River Des Peres in south St. Louis, MO.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has released a new interactive training tool to help small businesses effectively identify hazards in the workplace.

International design firm Ware Malcomb announced that Sonia Sorensen has joined the firm as engineering regional manager.

The digital edition of <em>Underground Construction</em>'s <a href="http://digital.turn-page.com/i/363764">August 2014</a> issue.

Advertisers from the print edition of <em>Underground Construction</em>, August 2014, Vol. 69 No. 8.

HOLT CAT, the Caterpillar equipment and engine dealer for South, Central, North and North East Texas, has named Edward Craner senior vice president, strategy and marketing.

Aquatech, industry leaders in the manufacture of Combination Jet/Vac Systems, has launched a new easy-to-navigate corporate website.

PFERD Inc. announced the appointment of Peter Skaalen as their new vice president of Operations.

Wood Group Mustang’s Pipeline Business Unit has received ISO 9001 certification for its quality management system.

The Toro Co., Bloomington, MN, celebrated its 100th anniversary on July 10, as more than 2,000 employees, retirees, channel and business partners, and other guests gathered at the company’s headquarters.

American Augers and Trencor recently welcomed more than 90 customers and industry partners to their West Salem, OH, headquarters and manufacturing facilities.

Laney Directional Drilling recently relocated and expanded its company headquarters to 831 Crossbridge Dr., Spring, TX (just north of Houston).

Laney Directional Drilling Co. announced it has been acquired by an affiliate of Maxim Partners LLC and Falcon Investment Advisors LLC.

Hobas Pipe USA is continuing the expansion of its field service group and now includes seven technicians located across the country.

AMERICAN Cast Iron Pipe Company recently unveiled its new online News Center.

Submissions are now being invited for funding of pre-studies or similar projects as part of the Volvo Construction Equipment-hosted Construction Climate Challenge (CCC).

The 10th Western Regional No-Dig Conference & Exhibition will be hosted by the Western Society for Trenchless Technology (WESTT), along with media partner <em>Underground Construction</em> magazine, on Oct. 6-7, at the Sandia Resort & Casino in Albuquerque, NM.

The Pipeline Contractors Association of Canada (PLCAC) celebrated their 60th Anniversary in Vancouver, B.C., May 11-15.

From the modest beginnings of horse-drawn rail cars on First Avenue in the early 1870s, light rail in Portland, OR, has flourished, declined and gone through a resurgence.

In February, when Summit Natural Gas of Maine began providing natural gas to Gardiner, ME, businesses and residents who until then had relied on propane or heating oil, it was only part of a much bigger story.

Compact excavators are more powerful, productive and durable than ever before, enhancing their usefulness on construction jobs from site development to roadwork.

The city of Montreal has awarded a contract to Aqua-Pipe for the structural rehabilitation of 20,700 linear feet of distribution water mains in various boroughs throughout the city.

When an existing culvert failed causing an entire irrigation canal to wash out, the Harlingen Irrigation District had to react quickly.

Start planning now for your opportunity to work hands-on with chemical grouting equipment at the next Grout Boot Camp.

Aegion Corporation announced its subsidiary, Insituform Technologies Limited, was awarded a $13.4 million contract from the city of Montreal, Quebec, Canada to rehabilitate pipelines up to 130 years old, and located mostly in residential areas in boroughs throughout the city.

GML Coatings specializes in concrete restoration and coating of new and existing water and wastewater infrastructure.

Industry-leading WinCan software now comes standard with every ROVVER X system, giving you the power to database your inspections, deliver detailed reports, share projects with distributable viewer software, visualize your data on GIS maps, and achieve PACP certification.

Trenchless plastic and copper service line replacement with the Mini Grundotugger is simple.

The BRAWOLINER liner is the latest addition to HammerHead’s suite of trenchless lateral rehabilitation solutions.

Vacuworx has launched a lightweight pipe handling system to lift and position drill stem in horizontal and directional drilling operations.

McElroy brings wireless capability to the DataLogger 5 which gives pipe fusion operators the ability to upload data to the DataLogger Vault where it can be reviewed and analyzed in real-time from anywhere in the world.

Lofty Designs now offers full effect 3D animation of infrastructure processes and product installations.

For construction companies searching for ways to improve project efficiencies, TerraGo, has launched an easy-to-use, mobile, note sharing app that immediately syncs field data, including job site progress, safety conditions or sub-contractor activity with the home office and other mobile workers.

The new D20x22 S3 Navigator HDD was designed from the voice of contractors who desire a small footprint machine yet one that is able to increase productivity when working in urban or tight jobsites.

PipeLine Machinery International (PLM) announces the release of the 71H pipelayer. With the support of Caterpillar and the engineering expertise of Vanguard Equipment Inc., the challenge was met to create a utility-capacity pipelayer in the Tier 4 Interim/EU Stage IIIB class, designed for lifting 60,000 pounds.

To make it convenient and easy for customers to access, handle and use Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) and other fluids in their Final Tier 4-compliant equipment, John Deere is offering a full range of fluids and handling equipment.

The new Camel 1200 from Super Products offers outstanding sewer cleaning performance as well as convenience and time-saving features including optimal boom motion, unique ejection unloading and collector body-tilt capability.

Robotic cutters from CUES, Pipeline Renewal Technologies, Aries Industries, AMerik Engineering, Flow-Liner Systems and LMK Technologies.

Skid-steer loaders by New Holland Construction, Caterpillar, Volvo CE, Bobcat, John Deere, Case, Toro, Vermeer, Ditch Witch and Bobcat.

The serene sounds of summer are being played out across the country as the weather heats up. Or not.

Pipeline safety is back on the congressional agenda: in part because of a recent Department of Transportation Inspector General's report and in part because of PHMSA'S failure to finish rulemakings mandated by the 2011 pipeline safety bill.