Magazine
HDD and HDPE — The Perfect Match
The latest revision of ASTM F1962, approved in 2022, contains a significant change by providing the physical properties for the most-recent, high-density polyethylene material, PE4710. This material is significantly tougher than older, previous polyethylene products, facilitating successful completion of more complicated, difficult maxi-HDD projects.
Rewiring Florida’s Intracoastal Movable Bridges Via HDD
(UI) — The Florida Department of Transportation operates and maintains 51 movable bridges throughout the state’s eastern and western intracoastal areas. And in many popular tourist destinations, city municipalities operate many more. These moveable bridges are critical for boat traffic and over-the-road vehicles.
Editor’s Log: Eyes Forward
(UI) — Recently, Underground Infrastructure magazine published its 26th Annual Municipal Sewer/Water Infrastructure Forecast & Market Analysis. Hard to believe I’m still authoring this research after all these years. Nonetheless, I still find the data both predictable and surprising at the same time.
Tech Tips: Solving Infiltration Problems After Structural Rehabilitation
(UI) — The process of sewer system Inflow & Infiltration (I&I) removal requires a holistic approach to truly be effective. Specifically, all four points of infiltration must be addressed to achieve ultimate success. These four points are manholes, mainline joints, service connections and service laterals.
DCA President Kevin Parker Puts His Passion into Processes
(UI) — While management systems and operator qualification programs might seem like dull fare from a distance, these processes have proven essential to improving the safety, quality and consistency of construction projects. Parker’s passion and decades of experience at Mears made perfect timing for his term as president of the Distribution Contractors Association, whose safety management system template and operator qualification integrity process ranked among DCA’s top priorities in 2022.
26th Annual Municipal Sewer/Water Infrastructure Forecast & Market Analysis
(UI) — To say 2022 was an eventful year for the underground infrastructure industry would be an incredible understatement. The billions in federal monies being pumped – finally – into the nation’s infrastructure was game-changing for many cities.
Inside Infrastructure: After Surprising Election, Chaotic Start, 118th Congress Begins Its Work
(UI) — Comprehensive reforms to the permitting process for energy projects remains a priority for any entity interested in initiating projects to improve America’s dilapidated underground infrastructure. This has become a bipartisan issue after a $1.2-trillion-dollar infrastructure bill was enacted and getting projects off the ground was in the best interest of the White House and every lawmaker who voted for the IIJA.
Fiber Experiences Record Growth in 2022
(UI) — As the year 2023 begins, the fiber optic cable industry hopes to build on a record year for deployment of fiber to the home (FTTH). In 2022, a record number of homes (7.9 million) were connected to fiber, according to a survey made by RVA, LLC. That brings the total of broadband-connected addresses in the United States to nearly 40 million.
Rehab News: Vortex GeoKrete Geopolymer Approved by WRc; Cherne Launches Easy-to-Use Disc Seal Plugs
(UI) — The Vortex Companies received WRc-approval for its Quadex GeoKrete; Cherne Industries launched a line of Disc Seal plugs, featuring an excellent sealing range, convenient installation, and more in this edition of Rehab News.
Editor’s Log: Stampede
(UI) — The President Biden Administration’s narrative has been to mercilessly shun, blame and attack “big-oil” companies, gas companies and any pipeline ever built as the root of environmental evil. The President has used his bully pulpit to supplement his unending rules and regulations against oil and gas, as the way to achieve the “carbon-free” goal of his zealous backers.
Rehab Technology Profile: NASSCO Standard Bearers Pete Kurz
(UI) — NASSCO continues to set standards for the assessment and rehabilitation of underground infrastructure. A vast array of individuals has contributed to the success of the association, both in the past and present, that has driven NASSCO’s industry mission. This month, Underground Infrastructure profiles Pete Kurz who embraced the ideals of NASSCO to become one of its staunchest supporters and effective memorable leaders.
NA Pipeline Construction Outlook
(UI) — Seldom has a new year arrived with the degree of supply and demand uncertainty facing global energy markets at the start of 2023. Months of soaring oil and natural gas prices gave way in late 2022 as oil demand projections softened on recessionary fears and Europe’s months-long buying spree filled its natural gas storage levels to near capacity.
Utility & Communications 2023 Construction Outlook, Update
(UI) — The captain of a large aircraft carrier sees what he believes to be the light of an oncoming vessel off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada. The captain of the ship then radios the vessel, urgently saying to divert your course 15 degrees to the north to avoid a collision with the ship.
Digging Deep for Resilience
(UI) — Resilience is an essential concept for water infrastructure as well, defined by the American Society of Civil Engineers as “a system’s ability to withstand and adapt to the impacts of natural and/or manmade disasters.” As climate instability increases the likelihood of heavy downpours, sewer systems without ample capacity are increasingly vulnerable to overflow.
Rehab News: New Chemical Grout Injection Technology; Avanti Adds Grouts to NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 Certified Product Line
(UI) — Injecting chemicals to stabilize, lift, seal or compact weak soils and rocks is not new. Polyurethane grout material has been used for this purpose since the 1960s. However, the limitations of this process, to shallow depths of 20 feet or less, have often been frustrating, not only for asset owners but installers, as well.
Mental Health Issues, Suicides Reaching Crisis/Epidemic Levels
(UI) — When I began my career in construction over 30 years ago, mental health and suicide were not on anyone’s list of concerns in our industry. Now, as a safety director, I strive each day to protect our workers from this hidden threat that has risen to become a crisis in our industry.
Editor’s Log: More of The Same
(UI) — In this issue of the new Underground Infrastructure magazine, we’ve connected with some of the best experts, prognosticators and writers in the markets we serve to obtain a reasonable grasp as to what 2023 will look like in financial, construction and rehabilitation terms. Indeed, there is so much material, we’ll continue the insight and analysis in our February issue.
Strategic Partnership Brings Affordable, Reliable Fiber to Rural Communities
(UC) — According to a 2021 study from BroadbandNow, at least 42 million Americans do not have access to broadband internet. Access to affordable and reliable broadband in the 21st century is largely considered a critical infrastructure necessity, just like transportation, electricity and water.
Washington Watch: FERC Rejects Environmental Concerns About Gas Pipeline Projects
(UC) — The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) continues to dispatch environmental objections to pipeline projects. Even Chairman Richard Glick, who had originally made reducing greenhouse gas emissions his guiding light, is turning a deaf ear.
UCT Welcomes 2023 with High Expectations, Top Education, Profitable Networking
(UC) — With a new year rapidly approaching, final preparations for the annual Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exhibition (UCT) are well underway. UCT is scheduled for Feb. 7–9, in Orlando, Fla, at the Orange County Convention Center.
Latest DIRT Report Indicates Utility Damage Maintains Incident Levels
(UC) — While ongoing programs are in place to reduce accidental damage to buried utility infrastructure, damages continue to happen, usually during construction or repair work, when interrupting service, and sometimes posing the risk of injury and death.
Telecom Boom Enables Growth of Small, Quality Contractor
(UC) — The changing face of telecommunications continues to present unique opportunities for the growth of small, quality contractors. Telecommunications contractor Prowire Inc. has opened a branch office in Albion, Maine, to better service its clients throughout Maine and New Hampshire. The home office is in South Paris, Maine.
Newsline: US Justice Department Sues Idaho City over Water Pollution
UC's December Newsline features information about the U.S. Justice Department suing Idaho City over water pollution, Michigan receiving $500 million to rebuild its water infrastructure, federal investigations into public spending on the failing water system in Jackson, Mississippi, and more of the latest industry developments.
Rehab Technology: Tips for Using Bypass Pipe Plugs for Sewage Bypass
(UI) — Pipe plugs are designed to perform three essential functions: blocking a pipeline, conducting an air test in a pipeline, and bypassing effluent in an active pipeline. Blocking a pipeline becomes necessary during new installation or maintenance, when effluent needs to be temporarily stopped or a new pipe is air tested for leaks.
Editor’s Log: Transitions
(UI) — In 2023, Underground Construction will morph into Underground Infrastructure. The title Underground Construction has served our magazine well for the past 25 years when, in January 1997, the publication moved away from traditional oil and gas pipeline construction-centric coverage to a broad-based utility and pipeline focus.
Close-Fit Liner: Technical Guide to Variations of Close-Fit Liners for Mainline Pipe
(UC) — CIPP is a thermoset resin system (polyester, vinyl ester, felt/fiberglass hybrid or epoxy) that is installed into the existing pipeline to be rehabilitated, with either a felt or fiberglass tube of the approximate thickness designed for the application.
ASCE MOP 145 Update on the Design of Flexible Liners for Gravity Pipes
(UC) — In November 2021, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) issued a new Manual of Practice (MOP) for the Design of Close-Fit Liners for the Rehabilitation of Gravity Pipes. The purpose of the MOP was to provide good guidance to engineers tasked with making wall thickness designs of liners, such as cured in place pipe.
Harmful Inflation Reduction Act Enacted, Includes Some Opportunities for Pipeline Construction
(UC) — In late 2021, President Biden’s controversial “Build Back Better” (BBB) legislation was blocked in the Senate, thanks to a couple of moderate senators with the courage to buck their party by opposing overreaching climate proposals at the front of the Democratic Party’s agenda.
US LNG Projects Gear up; Pipelines Help Europe Pivot from Russian Energy
(UC) — Eight months into Russia’s war on Ukraine, a global oil and gas supply squeeze has been further tightened by sanctions on the world’s largest energy exporter, sending power and fuel prices soaring.
UCA Finalists Announced
(UC) — Underground Construction magazine is proud to present the inaugural Underground Construction Awards (UCAs). Taking place on Wednesday, Feb. 8, the UCAs mark the next big event for underground industry awards.
- Winners of the Underground Construction Awards Honored at UCT
- Oregon halts construction on water pipeline project after 12 years and $38 million
- Much of Florida Keys loses water pressure after main break
- EPA launches initiative to accelerate lead pipe replacement in Wisconsin
- Water utilities to be affected by EPA’s proposed PFAS regulations