Underground Construction

Analysis: Laura Reminds of Louisiana’s Fragile Water Systems

The high water and flooding in Louisiana from Hurricane Laura last month brought into sharp relief the fragility of the state's water systems, three years after the state's drinking water infrastructure received nearly a failing grade.

Fiber Project Pushes Through Difficult Ground Conditions, Environmental Challenges

On its own merit, a horizontal directional drilling (HDD) shot spanning more than five football fields long is a substantial task. But when you add in both volcanic and clay ground conditions, a tight deadline and an environmentally protected job site, it becomes all the more challenging.

Poised for Progress: Prescott One Step Closer to Centralized Wastewater System

The popular adage “out with the old, in with the new” is often associated with enthusiasm and fanfare. Yet, in the world of sewer replacement and expansion, the true test of a successful project is having the work go almost unnoticed by the public.

San Diego $3 Billion Water Project Receives Permit to Begin Phase 1

A $3 billion water infrastructure project has been granted the necessary permit to begin work on Phase 1.

States Rush to Utilize CARES Act Funding for Fiber Infrastructure Ahead of Deadline

States eager to build out their fiber broadband infrastructure to rural areas are rushing to take advantage of funding from the CARES act passed earlier this year before the end-of-year deadline.

Tunneling Milestone Reached on World’s Longest Underground Rail Link Project

A Herrenknecht tunnel boring machine has broken through marking the first significant milestone in the world's largest rail link project.

Work Completed on World’s Longest Hydraulically Inserted Pipe

The world's longest hydraulically inserted pipe has been installed nearly 100 feet below the Humber River in Northern England.

New Jersey American Water Announces Water Infrastructure Investment Program

New Jersey American Water is partnering with state authorities to develop a state-wide water and wastewater infrastructure investment program.

Utility & Communications Construction Update

As the country emerges from its coronavirus-induced hibernation, guidance from the publicly traded companies of the Utility & Communications Construction Index (UCCI) is limited due to limited guidance and general uncertainty of what the coming months will bring.

Eight Texas Cities Partner for New Water Line

Eight cities in the Houston area are partnering together to replace a 75 million gallon water line.

Peru Gas Workers Unearth Centuries of History in Lima's Soil

For nearly two decades, workers for a company building gas lines across Peru’s capital have found themselves unearthing a treasure trove of history.

Barbco Adds Another Patent to Growing List

Barbco, Inc. Co-Owner and CEO, Anthony R. Barbera was granted a U.S. Patent for the “Material Exhaust Connection For Horizontal Bore” on Jan. 7.

DCA President Mike Hickey Sees Bright Future for Contractors Who Embrace Change

Underground Construction talked with Hickey before the DCA annual convention, Feb. 24–29 in Boca Raton, Fla., about the opportunities and challenges facing distribution contractors and the approaches they can take to capitalize on these positive trends.

Texas Railroad Commission Adopts New Pipeline Safety Rules

The Railroad Commission (RRC) of Texas has adopted new natural gas pipeline safety rules regarding the type of natural gas distribution pipelines that are allowed to be installed.

HDD Hall of Fame Inducts Cherrington, Melsheimer as Inaugural Pioneers

Industry pioneers Dick Melsheimer and Martin Cherrington became the first inductees into the HDD Hall of Fame on Wednesday in its inaugural ceremony at the Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exhibition in Fort Worth, Texas.

2020 Outlook and Utility & Communications Construction Update

The United States construction market is steady and growing slightly amidst the second-longest period of sustained economic expansion since 1964. Despite fears of an impending slowdown, FMI Research projects that construction put-in-place will increase year-over-year by slightly less than 1 percent in 2019 (down from 3 percent in 2018).

New Jersey Capital City Spending $150 Million to Replace Lead Pipes

All 37,000 of the lead water pipes in New Jersey’s capital city will be replaced over the next five years at an estimated cost of $150 million, Trenton officials said Thursday.

Construction Begins to Repair Damage From 120 Million Gallon Sewer Leaks in Florida

Construction has begun to repair damaged sewer lines in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida after nearly 130 million gallons of sewer water leaked over several days last December.

FERC Approves Chesapeake Utilities Pipeline Expansion

Chesapeake Utilities has announced that FERC has issued an order approving the Company's proposed Del-Mar Energy pipeline project.

Hands-On Assessment Zone Highlights Modern Methods, Technologies

Another unique, interactive education and demonstration zone has been added to the Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exhibition. The Assessment Zone will be a large area within the UCT exhibit hall where attendees can see and learn about equipment and technologies available to assess the structural integrity of utility pipes and avoid catastrophic failure.

USDA to Invest Over $630 Million in Water Improvement for Rural Communities

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing over $630 million in water infrastructure improvements for rural communities across 42 states.

Proposed ASTM Standard Supports Water Main Pipe Rehabilitation

ASTM International’s committee on plastic piping systems (F17) is developing a proposed standard for replacing old and failing distribution water main pipes.

Perma-Liner Rolls Out Road Shows, New Product for Tackling Infrastructure Rehab

With aging infrastructure and broken sewer lines being common themes that more and more communities are experiencing, Perma-Liner Industries LLC hosted events to share innovative, trenchless technology, and state-of-the-art equipment and materials to tackle these issues in the least disruptive manner.

East Trunk Sewer Project Solves Weather Risk

Kimberly Paggioli, P.E. While rain is often a welcome sight along the western shore of Lake Michigan, some Mequon, Wis., residents and business owners began to eye the prospect of precipitation with dread. After numerous hazardous and costly sanitary sewer backups, it was clear that a plan of acti..

Stormwater Pipe Replacement in Florida

Communities large and small across the United States are facing a hidden crisis – failing underground water and sewer pipes.

Plaquemines Parish Gets $4 million for Water Infrastructure

The federal government is giving one Louisiana parish a $4 million grant to help improve the water infrastructure.

Kentucky Infrastructure Project Awarded Engineering Design Feat of the Year

A Kentucky-based sewer collection system improvement project has been awarded Best-in-Class by the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) during its 2019 National Design-Build Project/Team Awards competition.

UC Survey Reveals Major Trends for Underground Infrastructure

A comprehensive survey of our readers has provided a unique snapshot of market expectations for future underground construction trends. Topping the list: More trenchless applications and HDD.

New Jersey Gas Utility Pipeline Project Named Project of the Year

A $900 million gas main upgrade project responsible for upgrading over 500 miles of gas lines has been named as Project of the Year by the Project Management Institute - New Jersey Chapter.

New Orleans Could Get Up to $111 Million Loan for Sewer Upgrades

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is considering a $111 million loan for the City New Orleans to help upgrade and improve its aging sewer infrastructure.