Excavation
Pennsylvania 811 hits milestone with one millionth dig notification
Pennsylvania One Call System, Inc., dba Pennsylvania 811, recently hit a milestone with its one millionth dig notification received for the year on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 at 1516.
Excavation begins for Ontario Line’s first downtown subway tunnels
Excavation has started near Exhibition Station for the Ontario Line’s tunnel boring machine (TBM) launch site. This 16-meter-deep shaft will mark the starting point for two TBMs that will create twin tunnels spanning approximately six kilometers—the first downtown subway tunnel project in Toronto in over 60 years.
Volvo CE expands excavator lineup with mid-size models
Volvo Construction Equipment has introduced two new mid-size crawler excavators to its North American lineup: the EC260 and EC300. These models replace the EC250 and previous EC300, offering improved performance and efficiency.
5 ways to extend hydro excavator life
Construction season has arrived, and hydro excavators are a critical tool for unearthing utility lines without damaging them, trenching and various other applications. A high return on this machinery investment requires giving time and attention to proper care of your safe digging equipment.
HD Hyundai expands excavator line with new 82-ton, 100-ton models
HD Hyundai Construction Equipment North America has introduced two new large-frame excavators to its HX crawler excavator lineup: the 82-ton HX800A L and the 100-ton HX1000A L.
CASE debuts electric backhoe loader, adds new EV models
CASE has launched the industry’s first electric backhoe loader, the 580EV, alongside two new electric models, the CX25EV mini excavator and the CL36EV compact wheel loader.
OSHA fines El Paso contractor in deadly trench collapse, citing repeated safety lapses
OSHA determined that CMD Endeavors Inc. failed to provide a proper protective system for a pipe layer working in an excavation. As a result, a trench collapsed, causing a piece of asphalt to fall and severely injure the worker, who later died in a hospital.
HD Hyundai launches new compact-radius crawler excavator
HD Hyundai Construction Equipment North America has introduced the HX355A LCR, a 35.5-ton compact-radius excavator, to its lineup of full-sized crawler excavators.
Enbridge to excavate pipelines for Clean Water Act compliance under proposed consent decree
The proposed Eighth Modification mandates Enbridge to investigate circumferential crack features in four pipelines, deploying specialized inspection tools and initiating a new excavation program.
DEVELON introduces DX100W-7 mini wheel excavator for urban job sites
Navigating cramped urban job sites is challenging for equipment operators. DEVELON's new DX100W-7 mini wheel excavator offers a compact and agile solution, reaching speeds up to 24 mph.
Volvo debuts advanced excavator series with major upgrades
Volvo CE has launched a new range of excavators that boasts up to 15% greater fuel efficiency, enhanced productivity, increased safety, and several operator-friendly features.
Michigan invests over $958 million in lead service line removals
Since 2023, DWSD has completed over 5,300 excavations to determine lead line presence and replaced over 4,000 lines. Currently, lead service lines are being replaced in 15 of Detroit’s neighborhoods, with crews and contractors replacing over 150 lines a week.
Pro-Vac strengthens Texas presence with Hydromax acquisition
(UI) — Pro-Vac, a leading provider of essential underground infrastructure services, announced that it has acquired Hydromax, a leading provider of hydro excavation services in South Texas.
EPA to clean up underground storm sewer system in Michigan
EPA’s cleanup plan involves excavating and removing six manhole vaults and a 2,110-foot segment of concrete pipe along with stone bedding and backfill materials.
First look: First electric vacuum excavator introduced
(UI) — After the first lithium-ion battery hand tool for the building trades was introduced in 2005, a representative of a major distributor called it the most significant advance in tools in the last 20 years.
Yanmar celebrates 30 years of zero tail swing ViO excavators working safely in tight locations
(UI) — With the launch of the ViO series in 1993, Yanmar Compact Equipment popularized the zero tail swing excavator concept – revolutionizing the ability to work safely in confined locations.
Rent vs. buy: Which offers the best ROI for mini excavators?
(UI) — Mini excavators’ compact size and versatility make them a popular choice for the construction industry. There is a large variety of attachments available, allowing them to tackle almost any task on the job site. Although choosing from so many different models and configurations can be a challenge, one of the biggest decisions contractors may face is whether to rent or buy the mini excavator.
Excavation workers hit gas line in La Pine, Ore., subdivision
(UI) — In La Pine, Oregon, an excavation crew working in a newly developed subdivision had an incident where they accidentally hit a two-inch natural gas line. This led to a gas leak that raised concerns among nearby residents, resulting in advisories to shelter in place and avoid outdoor open flames until the repairs were completed.
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.
Vermeer enhances performance of VXT600 vacuum excavator with redesign
(UI) — Vermeer has announced that its VXT600 vacuum excavator has undergone an upgrade, with boosted road load capacity and optimized component reliability and serviceability. In addition, this new design packs performance-enhancing features that promise to revolutionize the productivity of vacuum crews.
Three new Hyundai compact excavator models now available throughout North America
(UI) — HD Hyundai Construction Equipment North America today announced the immediate North American availability of three new models in its HX-A series of compact hydraulic excavators.
North America’s first CASE electric mini excavator quietly gets to work in Illinois
(UI) — The CX15EV mini excavator is the first model available from the new CASE EV lineup, with the CX25EV mini excavator and electrified small articulated loader launching in 2024.
Swift completion of New Orleans sewer repairs ends release of raw sewage into Mississippi River
(UI) — The New Orleans Sewerage & Water Board has successfully ceased the discharge of untreated sewage into the Mississippi River after accomplishing vital repairs to a 60-year-old, 60-inch sewer force main situated in the St. Roch neighborhood.
Cities prioritize water main replacement, neglecting buried lead pipes
Around the country, utilities have been leaving lead pipe in the ground even when it is easiest to remove during water main work. Worse, they have been removing sections, disturbing the pipe and leaving the rest, which can spike lead levels, causing harm that will last a lifetime, an investigation by The Associated Press has found.
Critical repairs underway in Idylwood, Va., to avert Shreve Road sewer pipe collapse
(UI) — Prior to the discovery of the hole in the sewage line, plans were already in place for a trenchless cured-in-place pipe rehabilitation of the sewer line, a non-invasive method of repairing pipe lining without the need for excavation.
Choosing the right trencher: Benefits, configurations, performance optimization
(UI) — Many contractors use excavators to handle the bulk of trenching work because they already have them in their fleet. However, excavators aren’t always the optimal machine for the job, especially in challenging ground like rock and hard clay.
Heavy machinery maker Caterpillar's profits soar on US infrastructure spending surge
(UI) — The Biden administration's increased infrastructure spending in the United States has resulted in higher demand for excavators, bulldozers, and trucks from heavy machinery manufacturer Caterpillar Inc., which reported a 31% rise in profits in the first quarter of the year.
CASE introduces new 580SV Construction King backhoe loader
(UI) — CASE Construction Equipment has announced the expansion of its backhoe loader line with the launch of five additional new backhoe loader models, including the all-new CASE 580SV Construction King.
Common Ground Alliance: 55% of underground utility damage caused by professional contractors
The most common root cause of these damages was “no notification made to the 811 center,” meaning the damage could have been avoided if excavators contacted 811 to have utility lines marked prior to breaking ground.
RodRadar signs $1.4 million deal with Sitech Tejas
(UI) — RodRadar, developers of groundbreaking imaging technology for detecting underground utility infrastructure during excavation, has entered into a $1.4 million agreement with SITECH Tejas, a HOLT company. The deal will see the North American dealer add RodRadar’s debut product, LDR Excavate, to its portfolio of heavy civil construction solutions.
- OSHA cites Florida contractors for trench safety violations at sewer and excavation sites
- Cadiz to reuse steel from terminated Keystone XL pipeline for California groundwater project
- Lynchburg, Va., breaks ground on largest-ever Blackwater CSO tunnel project
- Biden-Harris administration invests $849 million in aging water infrastructure, drought resilience
- Mark Boyer named 2025 MVP of underground infrastructure industry