February 2022 Vol. 77 No. 2

By Robert Carpenter, Editor-in-chief As is typical of me these days, there never seems to be enough hours in the day. Always one more thing to do, one more mountain to climb. So, it should come as no surprise that I’m actually writing this column in Fort Worth as our staff gears up for the Undergro..

New Jersey Announces $1 Billion Water Infrastructure Plan  New Jersey unveiled initial plans for $1 billion in federal funds for new drinking and wastewater infrastructure over the next five years.  The new cash infusion is “exciting,” and amounts to a “once-in-a-generation” investment, said Depar..

By Stephen Barlas, Washington, D.C. Editor In a setback for environmentalists, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) refused to financially penalize the Spire STL pipeline, whose future was thrown into question by a decision from a DC Federal Appeals Court this past summer. The Court said..

By Robert Carpenter, Editor-in-Chief It’s been 25 years since Underground Construction initiated detailed research into the spending plans of America’s cities and government agencies, with the annual Municipal Sewer and Water Infrastructure Forecast & Analysis Survey. As the industry enters 2022, a..

By Stephen Barlas, Washington D.C. Editor The Biden administration has a schizophrenic attitude towards underground construction.  On one hand, it proposed – and Congress agreed to – a $1.2-trillion infrastructure bill. Signed by the president on Nov. 15, 2021, it will pump out huge sums for sewer..

By Sara Kleinecke There is a rich history etched in Montana’s Rocky Mountains and surrounding areas, a bygone era that marked the beginning of The Great Northern Railway and its creation of lodges nestled among one of the most beautiful places on Earth, Glacier National Park. Even today, visitors s..

By Michael Ancell, PCCA Another very busy year in power and broadband construction, 2021 found Power & Communication Contractor Association (PCCA) members working diligently to keep Americans reliably connected, while also working in Washington, D.C., and around the country to ensure that this crit..

EDITOR’S NOTE   Eben Wyman is a veteran advocate for key underground utility and pipeline associations. He points out that maintaining an effective advocacy program is fundamental to the success of any organization interested in the happenings of the federal government. Zack Perconti is an associat..

McLaughlin, a Vermeer Brand, was founded in 1921 and has proudly marked a century providing workable solutions for the construction, utility and trenchless industries. Today, the brand continues to innovate and expand the capabilities of auger boring equipment for customers worldwide.  ..

Discovery Hydrovac  discoveryhydrovac.com, (888) 4883-6452  Discovery Hydrovac is a specialized hydro and air vacuum service provider that supports the ever-expanding oil, gas, utility and construction industries.  Using st..

New ASTM Standard for Cleaning Vitrified Clay Sanitary Sewer Pipelines  ASTM International has published C1920-21 Standard Practice for Cleaning of Vitrified Clay Sanitary Sewer Pipelines (C1920-21) – the first standard ever for cleaning municipal sanitary sewer lines.  Scheduled cleaning increase..

By Gerhard P. Muenchmeyer, P.E., Principal, Muenchmeyer Associates  As the aging underground, pipeline collection system continues to deteriorate, replacement and/or rehabilitation become major issues for municipalities, industrial/commercial complexes and other utility owners. The deterioration in..

Calcium aluminate has been used in sewer environments since the 1940s. Initially, the drivers were resistance to sulfates in soil, rapid return to service and superior abrasion resistance.  Over time, it became clear that Calcium Aluminate Concrete showed improved corrosion durability, even in the ..

Yanmar’s ‘Premium Red’ Machines Heading into a New Era  Yanmar Compact Equipment (CE) has adopted an eye-catching Premium Red paint color across all its machines globally, bringing it in line with Yanmar Group’s image. While attracting attention and positive vibes, the change from the well-known Ya..

Lockwood Andrews & Newnam  Mekbib Degaga, P.E., joined planning, engineering and program management firm Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc. (LAN), as a senior project manager, serving clients in California.  He has more than 2..

New Cat Mini Hydraulic Excavators, Cat Grade Technologies Increase Power & Productivity  Built to deliver an improved customer experience, the new 4-ton, Cat 304, and 5-ton, Cat 305 CR, Next Generation mini hydraulic excavators deliver more power to the pumps, higher bucket breakout forces and deep..