Underground Construction
Editor’s Log: And then reality sunk in
In the underground infrastructure realm, plastic piping, conduit and related products are essential to solving market needs. Plastic piping systems are sustainable and environmentally responsible because they are energy-efficient during manufacturing and provide protection from contamination during service.
Michigan regulators approve $500 million Great Lakes tunnel for aging oil pipeline
Michigan officials approved a $500 million plan Friday to encase in a protective tunnel a portion of an aging oil pipeline that runs beneath a channel connecting two Great Lakes, leaving just one more regulatory hurdle for the contentious project.
New drill bores deeper into tunnel rubble in India to create an escape pipe for 40 trapped workers
Rescuers drilled deeper into the rubble of a collapsed road tunnel in northern India on Friday to fix wide pipes for 40 workers trapped underground for a sixth day to crawl to their freedom.
California approves PG&E rate increase to underground power lines for wildfire prevention
About 16 million Californians will experience an average monthly bill increase of over $32 in the coming year as Pacific Gas & Electric raises rates to bury 2,100 miles of power lines, aiming to minimize wildfire risks.
New York Transco's $1.4 billion power line plan receives state nod
(UI) — New York Transco has received the green light from New York State's utilities regulator on Thursday for three transmission projects. As part of this comprehensive project, the developer plans to introduce three new underground cables linking Long Island to the broader state.
Work resumes at Montana mine following fatal underground machinery accident
Work has resumed at a precious metals mine in south-central Montana a day after a 24-year-old worker died in an underground machinery accident, mine officials said.
Russ Ford named 2024 MVP of underground infrastructure industry
(UI) — Russ Ford, a noted infrastructure expert, has been selected as the Most Valuable Professional of the underground infrastructure industry for 2024. Ford, a senior associate at Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam Inc., will be honored at a special luncheon on March 19 at the annual Underground Infrastructure Conference (UIC).
CGA’s GIS case study highlighting value in facility mapping information
(UI) — Common Ground Alliance (CGA) recently released a groundbreaking case study as part of its Next Practices Initiative titled “PILOT: Improving Efficiency and Reducing Damages by Providing Ticket-Level Visualizations of Underground Facilities to Designers, Locators and Excavators.”
Century-old sewer system in Manning, S.C., to receive $10 million overhaul
Manning, a city with a charter dating back to 1861, has earmarked nearly $20 million for a substantial upgrade of its underground infrastructure. Set to commence in 2024, the primary focus of this effort is the city's sewer system, with an estimated project cost exceeding $10 million.
USIC collaborates to align utility locating resources with BEAD program infrastructure deployment
(UI) — USIC announced that is collaborating with state broadband leaders and internet service providers to ensure the utility locating resources required to support nationwide broadband deployment funded by $42.45 billion in Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program grants over the next five years.
Navigator cancels proposed Midwestern CO2 pipeline, citing ‘unpredictable’ regulatory processes
A company on Friday said it would cancel its plans for a 1,300-mile (2,092-km) pipeline across five Midwestern states that would have gathered carbon dioxide emissions from ethanol plants and buried the gas deep underground.
US military to begin draining leaky fuel tank facility that poisoned Pearl Harbor drinking water
The military next week plans to begin draining fuel from World War II-era underground fuel tanks in Hawaii, nearly two years after the massive facility sickened 6,000 people when it leaked jet fuel into a Pearl Harbor drinking water well.
Manhattan Beach, Calif., resumes underground utility line project after two-year hiatus
(UI) — In a significant development, the underground utility line project in Manhattan Beach is set to continue, following its suspension in 2021. The city has stepped in to support the endeavor, which will involve burying power, cable, internet, and phone lines for homes and buildings in two northern Manhattan Beach neighborhoods.
Schnabel Engineering acquires tunnel expert JCK Underground
(UI) – Schnabel Engineering, a leading provider of tunnel, dam, geotechnical, and infrastructure engineering, has announced its acquisition of JCK Underground, an industry recognized leader in tunnel engineering.
Montana telecom completes $11 million, 380-mile fiber cable burial project
(UI) — Blackfoot Communications, headquartered in Missoula, has recently celebrated the successful culmination of a six-year endeavor, entailing an $11 million investment, to install more than 380 miles of cutting-edge fiber optic cable within the Flathead Reservation vicinity around St. Ignatius, according to Government Technology.
Maui's wildfire tragedy ignites calls for safer electric grids with underground power lines
Lawmakers probing the cause of last month's deadly Maui wildfire did not get many answers during Thursday's congressional hearing on the role the electrical grid played in the disaster.
Tachus to invest $100 million in Texas fiber optic network expansion
(UI) — Tachus Fiber Internet, a Texas-based provider, has unveiled plans to inject $100 million into expanding its state-of-the-art XGS Fiber Network. The network is set to revolutionize internet connectivity, offering ultra-fast multi-gig speeds to both homes and businesses in the Southwest Houston region.
Beaumont, Texas, unveils $123 million plan to overhaul water infrastructure
(UI) — This intricate plan, spanning five years, carries a substantial price tag of $123 million, with a significant portion, $43 million, allocated to the replacement and maintenance of water pipelines during this period.
D.C.'s $583 million sewer overflow prevention tunnel now active
(UI) — In a significant milestone for Washington, D.C.'s ambitious Clean Rivers Project, the $583 million Northeast Boundary Tunnel has officially gone into service, marking the completion of the largest segment in a five-part, $2.7 billion system aimed at combatting chronic sewer overflows throughout the city.
Underground construction enters the virtual reality universe
(UI) — The Super Witch is incredibly popular, and at CONEXPO, the Metaverse offered a chance for people to put on the VR headset, pick up the corresponding hand controllers, and find themselves inside the cab.
IQ Fiber begins construction on $40 million fiber-optic network in Gainesville, Fla.
(UI) — IQ Fiber, North Florida’s only local residential fiber-optic internet service provider, has commenced construction on its 100% fiber-optic network in Northwest Gainesville and Alachua County. IQ Fiber’s initial Phase 1 investment is estimated at $40 million.
South Dakota panel denies application for CO2 pipeline; Summit to refile for permit
South Dakota regulators on Monday rejected a permit application for a proposed carbon dioxide pipeline through the state, dealing a fresh setback to the company behind the multistate project after North Dakota refused a siting permit for another leg there.
Arkansas lawmakers approve underground tunnel on State Capitol Grounds
(UI) — State legislators in Arkansas have granted their endorsement for the creation of an underground corridor linking the state Capitol with a nearby structure housing meeting spaces and legislative offices. The project, which surpasses $3.6 million in budget, has garnered increased backing in recent months.
PG&E initiates underground power line placement in Magalia, Calif.
(UI) — In Magalia, a significant transformation is underway as power lines are being placed underground. While the current cost of burying power lines is approximately $3.75 million per mile, PG&E anticipates a reduction to about $2.8 million per mile by 2026. The utility company asserts that despite the expense, the advantages of underground lines in high fire-risk areas are abundant.
Xcel Energy building underground barrier to contain radioactive water in Minnesota
The energy company responsible for leaking radioactive material from its nuclear plant in Monticello, Minnesota, in recent months has announced that it will build an underground metal barrier to keep affected groundwater away from the nearby Mississippi River.
Oatey acquires underground pipe and disc plug distributor Lansas BV
(UI) — Oatey Co. has acquired Lansas B.V., a manufacturer and distributor of underground pipe and disc plugs based in Eijsden, Netherlands.
Austin Energy underground powerline study granted approval in city council budget
(UI) — A significant portion—57%—of Austin Energy's power lines are already underground. However, the focus of this study is the remaining 5,000 miles of above-ground lines. The analysis aims to identify economically and environmentally viable areas for the transition.
Duke’s Root Control and UIS join forces to enhance underground service offerings
(UI) — Duke’s Root Control Inc. acquires Underground Infrastructure Services (UIS) of Livonia, Mich., significantly expanding its wastewater and gas inspection and remediation services, including inspection and replacement for water, gas, cable, and electrical utilities.
LUMA's $180 million underground transmission overhaul receives Puerto Rico’s approval
(UI) — LUMA's $180 million project proposal intends to repair and harden important underground transmission system components whose prospective breakdowns might jeopardize the system's dependability and resilience.
Joint project aims to enhance wastewater capacity, infrastructure in Ridgefield, Washington
(UI) — In a collaborative effort, the Port of Ridgefield, City of Ridgefield, and Clark Regional Wastewater District are teaming up for a joint project that aims to enhance wastewater capacity and infrastructure in Ridgefield, Washington.
- DeLa Express seeks FERC approval for Permian-to-Louisiana gas pipeline project
- OSHA penalizes Houston contractor over safety violations resulting in worker's death
- Fiber infrastructure has no known expiration date, Fiber Broadband Association research concludes
- Nevada OSHA fines Elon Musk's Boring Company over safety violations in Vegas tunnel project
- Damage prevention and safety: Turning awareness into action
- Ditch Witch 1030
- Michigan lawmakers introduce bills to create septic codes throughout the state
- Indiana American Water to gain 8,000 water customers with Silver Creek Water acquisition
- Arkansas governor allocates $42 million for water infrastructure projects
- Federal judge finds Flint, Mich, in contempt over lead water pipe crisis