Associations

Utility Investigation School returns to Denver for 24th session with Kiewit

This event marks the fifth UIS session in Denver and the second collaboration between ASCE and Kiewit, with Kiewit providing facilities for both classroom instruction and on-site demonstrations.

Utility Engineering & Surveying Institute’s Pipelines 2025 Conference abstracts due Oct. 1, 2024

The conference, held in Tampa, Florida from Aug. 9-13, 2025, will provide a forum for industry professionals to share experiences and knowledge between owners, agencies, consultants, industry, suppliers, contractors, and governments from around the world.

Fiber Broadband Association launches new state broadband office membership program

The Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) announced a new membership program for State Broadband Offices. Open to all state and territory broadband offices, this program includes access to FBA research, events, and the OpTIC Path™ fiber optic technician training program, as well as networking and social events.

McElroy receives OSHA SHARP recognition for workplace safety

McElroy has been recognized for its commitment to workplace safety with a new designation from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP).

Plastics Pipe Institute releases free instructional video library for underground piping materials

Called Training Shorts, the teaching modules focus on piping materials such as CPVC, HDPE, PEX, PE-RT, PP.  Topics include joining, installation, fusion, trenching, design, testing, sustainability plus other subjects important to those involved in drainage, natural gas, heating, plumbing, water, and sewer systems plus conduit projects.

Inside Infrastructure: 8th DCA/AGA workshop bolsters communication, cooperation

The 8th annual DCA & AGA Workshop, held in Kansas City, brought together 140 industry representatives and featured discussions on pipeline safety, workforce development, cybersecurity, and legislative challenges, highlighting the critical importance of collaboration in the gas distribution industry.

OSHA restructures regional operations to improve efficiency, resiliency

The changes include the creation of a new OSHA regional office in Birmingham, Alabama, overseeing agency operations in the state, and those in Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee as well as the Florida Panhandle.

Horizontal Directional Drilling Association to host HDDA Meeting and Training Conference in May 2024

Located at the Baton Rouge Marriot, HDD professionals will have the chance to dive into rig mechanics, learn how to identify utilities, discuss the importance of fluid control, among other important topics relevant to the HDD industry.

Second annual Global Buried Asset Management Congress to be held in Indianapolis

Building on the achievements of the inaugural The Global Buried Asset Management Congress (GBAMC), BAMI-I, in partnership with Purdue Construction Engineering and Management (CEM) and Southwest Environmental Financial Center (SWEFC), announced the second GBAMC, scheduled for Nov.14-16, 2024, in Indianapolis.

Fiber infrastructure has no known expiration date, Fiber Broadband Association research concludes

The Fiber Broadband Association’s Technology Committee has published its “Fiber Broadband Scalability and Longevity” white paper — the latest FBA research that explains optical fiber is the only communications medium that can support both existing and future applications for many decades with no infrastructure changes.

22nd ASCE UESI / BAMI-I UIS School to be held in Austin, Texas, for utilities professionals

The 22nd ASCE UESI / BAMI-I UIS School will be hosted in Austin, Texas, from April 1-5, 2024. This highly-anticipated event is a collaboration between the Buried Asset Management Institute – International (BAMI-I) and ASCE’s UESI - Utility Engineering and Surveying Institute (UESI).

HDD Reunion, Hall of Fame celebration to be held at UIC

The biannual Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) Reunion and HDD Hall of Fame celebration will be held on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at the Oklahoma City Convention Center in conjunction with the Underground Infrastructure Conference (UIC).

PCCA takes workforce development, damage prevention efforts to the States

The PCCA has fought for increased funding for rural broadband and electric power, fewer regulatory roadblocks, faster permitting, damage prevention, workforce development, and more. But in 2023 and now into the new year, PCCA is taking a more active role in the states, especially when it comes to workforce development and damage prevention.

Editor’s Log: Industry honors and celebrations

It’s officially awards season for the underground infrastructure industry with some amazing people, projects and technology being cited for market contributions.

Outgoing DCA President Ray Swerdfeger stresses significance of local inclusion

Swerdfeger, the outgoing president of the Distribution Contractors Association (DCA), had the chance to grow up in the family business, working closely with his father. As a second-generation president following in his father's footsteps, Swerdfeger sat down with Underground Infrastructure for an exclusive interview. The discussion covered the accomplishments and directions of the DCA in 2023.

Dig into your future at UIC

To unlock the secrets of this subterranean realm and revolutionize your approach to utility construction, rehabilitation and asset management, there's no better investment than the 2024 Underground Infrastructure Conference (UIC) to be held in Oklahoma City, Okla.

UI Awards ’24 finalists announced

(UI) — The annual Underground Infrastructure Awards (UIA), the most comprehensive and prestigious program to recognize outstanding performance and technology for the entire underground infrastructure industry, has announced the finalists for the 2024 awards.

BAM-I, UESI to host five-day utility investigation school in Miami in 2024

The Buried Asset Management Institute – International announced that the 21st ASCE UESI / BAMI-I UIS School will be hosted from February 5-9, 2024, in Miami, Florida.

CGA publishes telecom white paper on preventing utility damage trends

(UI) — Based on research among telecommunications stakeholders, CGA’s new research points to the sector’s impact on the U.S. damage prevention system as a whole and recommends key actions telecom organizations can take to drive damages down.

Fiber Broadband Association brings fiber broadband education to rural North Carolina communities

Partnering with broadband internet provider Fybe, the two organizations will leverage the OpTIC Path course to produce a pipeline of expertly-trained fiber broadband technicians that will connect rural communities to high-quality fiber broadband networks.

Plastics Pipe Institute selects 20-year curriculum veteran to lead education committee

The Plastics Pipe Institute, Inc. appointed Jason McKinnon, Director of Engineering Services, Viega, LLC (Broomfield, CO), as the chair of its education committee.

Business News

Vacuworx celebrates 25th anniversary; Grundfos celebrates the 50th anniversary of its U.S. operations; 120Water selected to manage the data and submittal of Georgia’s lead service line (LSL) inventories; and more!

Elevate your expertise and expand your network – register for the Underground Infrastructure Conference today

Get ready for the most exciting event of the year for underground utility professionals. The 2024 Underground Infrastructure Conference (UIC) is where the industry will come together to address the pressing needs and priorities of our aging infrastructure. Join us for this groundbreaking, two-and-a-half day conference from March 19–21 in Oklahoma City, Okla., and take your knowledge and career to new heights!

Fourth annual NAXSA Colorado Trench Safety Summit breaks record attendance for second year

(UI) — More than 500 construction and safety professionals converged on the Adams County Fairgrounds near Denver on Oct. 4 with one common goal in mind: learn more about trench safety and help prevent tragedy in the workplace.

American Society of Civil Engineers releases first-of-its-kind sustainable infrastructure standard

ASCE/COS 73-23 calls for infrastructure owners to develop infrastructure that achieves environmental benefits and resilience measures while ensuring equity, mobility, inclusion and the preservation of cultural heritages and resources.

NUCA opens state-of-the-art trench rescue training facility in Urbandale, Iowa

(UI) — This state-of-the-art facility is set to play a crucial role in enhancing the safety of industry employees who work in subsurface excavations and help prepare those in the state who are leading the rescue at any accident scene.

Plastics Pipe Institute launches online course for underground infrastructure professionals

The course is based on requirements of the updated industry standard AWWA C904-22 Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Pressure Tube, 1/2 Inch Through 3 Inch for Water Service, the ANSI-approved standard for PEX tubing intended to deliver potable water into homes and buildings.

Trenchless Technology Center continues to prosper, provide industry research

(UI) — The Trenchless Technology Center (TTC) at Louisiana Tech University had another busy year and its Industry Advisory Board (IAB) again hit an all-time high in 2023. Research activities were in full swing and in-person training even came back, with forums in Boston and Houston.

PPI presents Donna Stoughton with lifetime achievement award

(UI) — The Plastics Pipe Institute, Inc. (PPI) presented Donna Stoughton with its Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her many years and vast contributions to the industry.

Plastic Pipes Conference Association celebrates 50th anniversary in September 2023

PPCA reports that it has one of the world’s largest databases of technical papers, starting with those presented during its first conference in the 1970s. This library includes nearly 2,000 documents, plus video recordings of recent conferences, all of which are available on its website for free.