March 2015, Vol. 70, No. 3

Baroid Industrial Drilling Products senior account representative <strong>Thomas A. Tibor</strong>, 63, of Guthrie, OK, passed away on Jan. 23.

RALEIGH, N.C. (February 10, 2015) —Surveying members of the Construction Personnel Executives Group, FMI reports, “24 percent of respondents will be unable to bid more work and 32 percent will experience slow growth if their companies cannot reasonably meet the need for skilled labor and tradespeople.” Top executives at the largest contract firms in the U.S. took part in the survey.

Marc Blais, vice president at Xylem Inc. Applied Water Systems-Americas, has been named to the Water Systems Council (WSC) board of directors.

G. Tracy Mehan, III, has joined the U.S. Water Alliance as Interim President.

The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) broke ground on a new water supply reservoir near Lane City, TX, in December last year.

Prolonged and severe droughts and other factors have made water supplies increasingly scarce in California, Texas and many other regions of the United States, as well as elsewhere around the globe.

The Cross Bore Safety Association (CBSA) has identified the need for, and has approved the drafting of, guidance documents to improve the efficiency, quality and implementation of activities related to creation avoidance and elimination of cross bores.

On Jan. 29, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued its 2015 Broadband Progress Report stating that broadband deployment is failing to keep pace with today’s advanced, high-quality voice, data, graphics and video offerings.

Consolidated Edison Company of New York Inc. (Con Edison) is seeking an electric delivery service rate increase to support system reliability, storm hardening, better technology and online service enhancements beginning Jan.1, 2016. It would be the company’s first rate increase since April 1, 2012.

As reported by the Water Environment Federation (WEF), the city of Columbus, OH, is taking a new approach in solving the problem of sanitary sewer overflows, by spending its capital dollars above ground, transforming neighborhoods and creating permanent jobs.

The Virginia Tech Sustainable Water Infrastructure Management (SWIM) Center will be offering a workshop on Advancing Asset Management in Your Utility Workshop, to be held on March 10-11, 2015 at the Virginia Tech Arlington Research Center in Arlington, Virginia.

If you are interested in reducing cross bore risk associated with all types of utilities, this is the best opportunity to get involved. Cross Bore Safety Association (CBSA) is creating a “Best Practice for Cross Bore Safety” document, with involvement from numerous participating organizations and their members to be inclusive of all underground utility stakeholders. Committee formation is now starting. If you are interested in participating, further information can be found at <a href="http://crossboresafety.org/Best%20Practices.htm">http://crossboresafety.org/Best%20Practices.htm</a>.

The War Memorial Park traffic tunnel project on Buckle Street in Wellington, New Zealand is scheduled to be completed by ANZAC Day in 2015, marking the 100-year anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign commemorating all New Zealanders killed in war and honoring returned servicemen and women.

The Pipe Line Contractors Association of Canada (PLCAC) concluded 2014 on a high note according to outgoing president, Mike Prior, whose term ends in April. He said the association had a “busy year” and that pipeline contractor members had begun laying “significant groundwork” for future projects. Prior added that PLCAC members can anticipate a healthy forecast in the Canadian pipeline industry for 2015 and 2016.

The Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exhibition (UCT) celebrated its 20th anniversary in January 2015.

In recognition of the national need and Virginia Tech University’s strengths in water infrastructure management, ICTAS established a Center of Excellence in Sustainable Water Infrastructure Management (SWIM).

On the second day of the 2015 Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exhibition, five exhibitors received an unexpected but pleasant surprise. Representatives of each company were notified that their exhibits had been named “ShowStoppers” in UCT’s new program to recognize exhibitors that feature exciting new products or have a particular striking and impressive display. The 2015 winners were Diamond Drilling Industries, Geneva Polymer Products, ReachMaster, Tiger Industrial Rentals and TT Technologies.

Anyone who has followed her career path over the past 10 years would tell you that Megan Schueller has accomplished more in a single decade than many people realize over an entire lifetime.

<em>EDITOR’S NOTE: In 2016, NASSCO will celebrate its 40th year of setting standards for the assessment and rehabilitation of underground infrastructure. As we look forward, we also look back to those who have made significant contributions and have impacted the continued acceptance and use of trenchless technologies. This installment in the series features Joan Stone. It is the sixth installment in a series of articles exploring the history of NASSCO through the eyes of industry leaders.</em>

It has been a long time coming for the Florida Keys, but the enormous undertaking of connecting all of the islands to central sewer lines to replace the use of septic tanks is nearly complete.

Spurred by a booming job market, affordable housing, proximity to an international airport and its central location in the U.S., the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex has experienced a significant population growth over the last decade.

The city of Fort Worth is in the fourth year of a multi-year program with the goal of inspecting all of its large-diameter sanitary sewer lines, grading their condition in order to schedule needed repairs and rehabilitation, and addressing the most critical needs first. (A separate program addresses smaller-diameter pipes.)

An experienced panel of horizontal directional drilling (HDD) experts with several prominent underground construction companies shared challenges, concerns, frustrations and optimism during a roundtable discussion held in conjunction with the Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exhibition (UCT) in January at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.

The War Memorial Park traffic tunnel project on Buckle Street in Wellington, New Zealand is scheduled to be completed by ANZAC Day in 2015, marking the 100-year anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign commemorating all New Zealanders killed in war and honoring returned servicemen and women.

The Distribution Contractors Association recently hosted is 54th Annual Convention at the Roosevelt Hotel in New Orleans with 425 attendees. During the event’s annual auction a record total of $907,955 was raised.

Throughout 2014, the American Pipeline Contractors Association (APCA) continued to evaluate the ever-changing industry to identify and address the major issues facing the pipeline market, said association President Nick Bruno.

With construction equipment, sometimes big can be better by bringing more power and more productivity.

As part of the city of Manassas Capital Improvement Program, Manassas’ water transmission main line has been slated for an upgrade, replacing the 24-inch water transmission main line with a 36-inch main line.

SAK Construction is nearing completion of a $2.9 million contract for the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC Water) to install 4,800 linear feet of 48-inch cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) in sanitary sewer lines that run under the 1757 Golf Club in Dulles, Virginia.

R.S. Technical Services Inc. (RST), following the sudden loss of founder and chief executive officer Rod Sutliff last year, has regained its equilibrium and is now forging ahead under the new corporate vision of the founder’s son, Mike Sutliff.

HammerHead Trenchless Equipment’s HydraLiner cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) lining system has received two of the industry’s most respected certifications.

EHC Inc., a construction company that provides pre-construction, earthwork and infrastructure services, is celebrating the company’s 25th anniversary this year.

The Toro Company welcomes two additional equipment dealers to their expanding distribution network.

Atlas Copco Construction Technique Business Area is launching an app for use with Apple and Android devices, tablets and smart phones.

Doosan and Bobcat Company have announced their continued support of innovation in education by donating $3 million to North Dakota State University (NDSU) to fund a STEM-related scholarship program.

The Volvo Group companies in North America hosted 72 dealers and customers at an exclusive, invitation only golf event on the Stadium Course of the PGA West, in La Quinta, CA, on Nov. 17, 2014.

John Deere announces the new John Deere App Center which is a convenient mobile app, designed specifically for John Deere equipment users.

Terramac LLC, a manufacturer of rubber track crawler carriers, has added SMS Equipment Inc., headquartered in Acheson, Alberta, to its dealer network.

New personnel changes have been announced by Felling Trailers Inc.

Jeff Maier, P.E. has been named the C&L Water Solutions Inc.’s director of engineering. The firm provides water distribution and sewer collection services.

Al Asher & Sons Inc., www.alasher.com American Augers, www.trencor.com American Pipeline Contractors Assn., www.americanpipeline.org Arntzen Corp., www.arntzenrolling.com Audio Supply Inc., www.thatyellowbox.com Avanti International, www.avantigrout.com Barbco Inc., www.barbco.com Bit Brokers, www.bitbrokers.com BKW Inc., www.bkwinc.com Bobcat Co., www.bobcat.com Carylon, www.caryloncorp.com Caterpillar Inc. (CATBC), www.cat.com Chrysler Group Copperhead Industries, www.copperheadwire.com Digital Control Inc., www.digitrak.com

The <a href="http://digital.turn-page.com/i/475666">digital edition</a> of <em>Underground Construction</em>, March 2015, Vol. 70, No. 3.

Source: HDD Inc. has completed a move into a new 43,000 square foot facility. The building, located in the same industrial park as sister company StraightLineHDD, provides an additional 35,000 square feet of dedicated space.

San Francisco-based engineering and consulting firm Jacobs Associates and Boise‐based engineering and construction firm McMillen LLC have merged, to form McMillen Jacobs Associates Inc.

Kleinfelder recently announced that John Struzziery, senior program manager, has been named one of <em>Engineering News-Record’s</em> (ENR) Top 25 Newsmakers of 2014. The award will be presented during ENR’s black-tie gala, to be held in New York City on April 16.

Manufacturers once again took the opportunity to display innovative products at the 2015 Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exhibition (UCT).

Slipline pipe by ISCO Industries, HOBAS Pipe USA, Underground Solutions, ADS, Flowtite and CONTECH Engineered Solutions.

Mud mixing systems by Mud Technology Intl., KEMTRON, American Augers, TT Technologies, Ditch Witch, Vermeer and Straightline HDD.

Drilling fluids/polymers by CETCO Drilling Products, M-I SWACO, Baroid Industrial Drilling Products and Wyo-Ben.

Downhole directional drilling tools by Hunting Trenchless, HammerHead Trenchless Equipment, Sharewell HDD, Railhead Underground Products, INROCK, Ditch Witch, Vermeer, American Augers, Radius HDD Tools, Melfred Borzall, StraightlineHDD and Horizontal Technology.

US Radar Inc., a leading manufacturer of subsurface imaging systems, has begun production of its Q5 Series, a new line of ground penetrating radar systems (GPR) that deliver US Radar’s signature SmartGain digital clarity at an affordable price.

Vac-Tron Equipment, an industry innovation leader in industrial vacuums, potholing, daylighting, hydro excavation, air excavation and environmental clean-up equipment, has introduced the new LP 533/833 XDT to the market.

The Vermeer D100x140 Navigator horizontal directional drill (HDD) already offered exceptional downhole power; now a Tier 4 final engine and other enhanced features help improve speed and simplicity.

The J-Series electric submersible pumps offer top performance and high quality for a very modest investment. The pumps are designed for long life and trouble free performance.

The ARS709 hydraulic puller from Condux Tesmec is ideal for a wide range of underground pulling applications including power transmission and distribution cable installation.

The new HPX-PRO Portable CR system is designed to enhance mobile imaging with exceptional image quality, improved productivity and easy portability. The system is ideal for radiographically inspecting the joints in a pipeline.

Digi International unveiled the Digi XLR PRO line of radios for reliable, long-range wireless data transmission for Ethernet and serial devices.

EZ-MUD DP GOLD borehole stabilizing dry synthetic polymer contains high molecular weight partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide/polyacrylate (PHPA) copolymer.

When trying to get a handle on the economic activity, outlook and trends of the underground construction and rehabilitation industry, I keep getting mixed signals. Most of the market segments are primed and ready to take off, yet 2015 has started off slowly and tentatively.

President Obama's proposed budget for fiscal year 2016 has $478 billion in new spending for infrastructure over six years, but little or none of that would go to sewer and drinking water work, not that Congress will approve the tax increases to pay for it anyway.