Underground Construction
Modern Guidance for Auger Boring Matches Growth of Technology
Horizontal auger boring equipment was making trenchless installation beneath roads, highways and other obstacles for years before the term “trenchless technology” came into use.
Editor’s Log: Launch of the Big Event
(UC) — There’s a good chance by now that most of our readers have seen announcements for the evolution of the next big event for underground industry awards – a very special occasion that will reward accomplishments and people of the underground infrastructure industry in a unique, personal and deserving fashion.
Political, logistical complications prevent Idaho cities from accepting infrastructure funding
City leaders in Idaho say they could use funding for water, wastewater, broadband and other infrastructure projects, but for a variety of reasons, 16 Idaho cities have rejected a combined $700,000 in federal coronavirus rescue money.
ARA forecast remains bullish on equipment rental revenue growth despite headwinds
Today’s economic indicators are mixed and uncertain, but all continue to point toward significant growth for equipment rental revenue in the U.S. according to the latest quarterly update of the five-year forecast released by the American Rental Association.
CASE Construction, country music star launch contest to bring awareness to construction careers
"We need to keep teaching kids that careers in construction bring great pride, lifelong earning potential, and the ability to build a world and path of their own,” said award-winning singer/songwriter/producer Jon Pardi.
California submits proposal for 45-mile underground water tunnel
A new plan to reroute how water moves from wetter Northern California to drier Southern California would ferry some of it through a single, 45-mile (72-km) underground tunnel, wrapping around the state’s existing water delivery system and dumping it into the main aqueduct that flows south to vast swaths of farmland and millions of people.
Be part of the inaugural UC Awards
The Underground Construction Awards will be the best opportunity of the year to truly recognize and honor the best of this grand, underground infrastructure industry in which we all relish and participate.
Staggering rise in trenching deaths spurs Department of Labor to enhance enforcement, oversight
In 2022’s first six months, 22 workers have fallen victim to the deadly hazards present in trenching and excavation work – surpassing 15 in all of 2021 – and prompting the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration to launch enhanced enforcement initiatives to protect workers from known industry hazards.
Utility & Communications Construction Update
“Less for More” remains the theme for 2022, as price increases in labor, materials and fuel plague the underground construction industry.
Newsline
Colorado Developer Progressing Plans for $2.3 Billion Water Pipeline, EPA Announces $6.5 Billion in Funding for Water Infrastructure Projects and more.
Michigan panel seeks details on Great Lakes pipeline tunnel plan
A Michigan regulatory panel said Thursday that it needs more information about safety risks before it can rule on Enbridge Energy's plan to extend an oil pipeline through a tunnel beneath a waterway linking two of the Great Lakes.
Two workers killed after trench collapses in Washington
Two workers were killed after a trench collapsed in Shoreline and the slope was too unstable to recover their bodies Monday so efforts will resume Tuesday.
Penelec begins replacing underground cable, equipment in Pennsylvania
Penelec has commenced work to replace the underground electric cables, transformers and other equipment in Erie County, Pennsylvania, that have been worn down by water erosion, the company said on Thursday.
Two workers presumed dead after trench collapse in Texas
Two workers were presumed dead after a trench they were digging for a sewer line in Texas on Tuesday collapsed and buried them, officials said.
Conterra to invest $22 million in North Carolina broadband infrastructure
Conterra Ultra Broadband Holdings announced its continued investment in fiber network growth across Union County, North Carolina, with its initial investment of $9.6 million and an additional estimated $12.7 million expected over 5 years.
County commissioners approve 34-mile underground tunnel network in Las Vegas
The Clark County Commissioners have approved the Vegas Loop, a 34-mile long transportation system being built by the Boring Company that will run underneath downtown Las Vegas, MSN reported on Thursday.
$5.4 million stormwater mitigation in Pennsylvania should resolve decades of flooding
Authorities hope a $5.4 million stormwater mitigation project in Radnor Township, Pennsylvania, will put an end to decades of flooding.
Microtrenching: Faster, Cost-Effective Solution for Fiber Installation
Microtrenching can provide a faster, cost-effective method for installation, particularly in congested urban areas. It offers contractors the best of both worlds: the efficiency of traditional techniques with the simple clean-up of a trenchless application.
Track Trenchers Provide Competitive Advantage for Contractors
Two Texas contractors doing different applications of work have found adding track trenchers to their fleet has kept them ahead of schedule and on budget.
Manufacturing Background Leads Arrow to Contracting Success
With the pandemic and other market factors, Arrow Trenching diversified into wind and solar work, while maintaining relationships with customers in oil and gas.
ARA forecast calls for equipment rental revenue growth in North America to outpace inflation
Even with supply chain issues and labor shortages, U.S. equipment rental revenue, including both construction and general tool, is expected to grow by 11.1% to reach nearly $56 billion in 2022.
Work underway to upgrade West Penn Power's electrical system in Butler County, Pa.
West Penn Power is upgrading its distribution system in Butler County to help prevent lengthy service interruptions during severe weather. The company will replace worn equipment, repair underground electric lines and place hundreds of protective devices on numerous power lines.
$3 million grant funding broadband internet installation in rural Michigan communities
Merit Network was awarded a $2.99 million Economic Development Administration grant under the CARES Act Recovery Assistance Grant to support construction of 70 miles of middle-mile fiber optic infrastructure in the Upper Peninsula, Michigan.
Regulatory, construction cost concerns lead ND company to scrub trans-state gas pipeline plans
WBI Energy said the project is not viable due to regulatory uncertainty, limited in-state demand and rising construction, labor and land-acquisition costs. The company said materials and construction costs have risen up to 50% in nine months.
New ASCE Manual of Practice offers guidance for sustainable planning and water pipeline design
The manual can be used to evaluate the potential impacts of a project and promote improvement in sustainable planning, design, construction, and operation.
RehabZone
As always, the 2022 edition of RehabZone was a vital part of 2022 Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exhibition (UCT) held this past January in in Ft. Worth, Texas,
Watchdog has concerns with projects at US nuclear repository
A federal watchdog report of the only U.S. underground nuclear waste repository outlines concerns regarding delays for its new underground ventilation system that is necessary to resume operations.
Judge says permit for coal mine didn't analyze environmental harm
A judge rules that environmental harm was not analyzed by a federal agency before approving an expansion permit for a Montana coal mine.
Associations strongly oppose executive order involving project labor agreements
The APCA and PCCA show strong opposition to President Biden's executive order to mandate project labor agreements for federal construction projects.
Kentucky receives $19M for water, sewer projects
Northern Kentucky receives $19M for water, sewer projects.
- 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
- The EPA announces $6.2 billion in funding for Iowa and Kansas water infrastructure