Underground Infrastructure
Tunnel boring machine ‘Clack-A-Mole’ nears one-third completion in Oregon outfall project
As of Sept. 24, Clack-A-Mole has mined 770 feet of the total 2,370-foot tunnel, reaching 32% completion. Clack-A-Mole, weighing a massive 225,000 pounds, is currently averaging about 32 feet of progress per day as it digs a path toward the river.
Federal charges filed against contractors for failing to remove lead pipes in Newark, N.J.
Two officials from a construction company contracted to remove lead pipes in Newark have been charged with fraud, accused of deceiving the city by leaving the hazardous pipes in place while falsely claiming to have replaced them.
Energy giants propose new transmission lines across PJM states
Dominion Energy Virginia, American Electric Power and FirstEnergy Corp. have entered into an innovative joint planning agreement to propose several new regional electric transmission projects across multiple states within the PJM footprint.
Newburgh, N.Y., completes $31 million sewer project using microtunneling for underground pipeline
The project installed 8,700 feet of new sewer pipes and used microtunneling for over 2,000 feet of underground pipeline to improve capacity and reduce pollution in the Hudson River.
Asheville, N.C., faces weeks-long recovery after Tropical Storm Helene damages water system
Asheville’s water system suffered severe damage from Tropical Storm Helene, disrupting treatment facilities and distribution lines. Washed-out roads are complicating repair efforts, with city officials warning it may take weeks to fully restore service to the area’s 94,000 residents.
Underground fire disrupts fiber optic networks, closes key Baltimore facilities
An underground fire in downtown Baltimore led to a manhole explosion and disrupted critical fiber optic networks over the weekend, affecting thousands.
Nevada County approves PG&E underground utility project for Red Dog Road
The Nevada County Board of Supervisors in California has approved the creation of the Red Dog Road Underground Utilities District, a project aimed at improving wildfire safety by moving utilities underground.
EarthGrid, EnerTech to deploy underground infrastructure projects across US in $18 billion investment
Utilizing EarthGrid's patented plasma-powered machines, this joint venture will develop a network of underground tunnels designed to upgrade the current power grid and fiber networks with reliability, efficiency, and resiliency while accelerating the clean power transition.
Construction mishap releases thousands of gallons of sewage into Washington’s Lake Whatcom
A construction incident on Sept. 11 led to a sewage leak into Lake Whatcom, with estimates ranging between 25,000 and 50,000 gallons of raw sewage spilling into the water.
San Diego sewer upgrade nears completion, potholing to confirm underground utilities
Upcoming work will replace sewer mains and laterals on three streets in San Diego. Crews will also conduct potholing to verify the locations of underground pipes and utility lines.
Explosion in underground PG&E vault leaves one dead in Richmond, Calif.
A man was found electrocuted inside an underground PG&E utility vault in Richmond, California, last month after a series of explosions. The incident highlights the dangers associated with unauthorized access to these high-risk underground utility spaces.
Jasper, Ind., to begin Phase II of downtown revitalization
The city of Jasper, Indiana, is set to begin Phase II of its Downtown Revitalization Project, which includes critical upgrades to the underground infrastructure.
Siksika Nation selects Cross Cut Directional Boring for fiber optic rollout
Cross Cut Directional Boring LTD has been selected as the contractor for the project, which includes building a backbone network and installing residential service cables. Vacuum excavator trucks will be used to locate existing underground utilities.
22 Years of advancing research in underground infrastructure and trenchless technologies: CUIRE's commitment
It is hard to believe that 22 years have passed since the Center for Underground Infrastructure Research and Education (CUIRE) was established. In 2006, the first trenchless technology conference was held at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA).
PG&E resumes underground power line work in California’s Plumas County
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has resumed its efforts to bury power lines in Plumas County, California, after work was paused due to the Park Fire.
Utah’s Park City Council greenlights $7 million project to bury power lines in Bonanza Park
Park City is advancing its long-awaited initiative to bury power lines in the Bonanza Park area, paving the way for future development in the district.
International report: Germany accelerates plans for energy development
Germany plans to actively accelerate the development and modernization of its underground energy infrastructure in the near future.
GDC awards first tunnel boring contract for NY-NJ project for $465 million
The Palisades Tunnel Project will construct the first mile of 5,100-foot twin tunnels on the New Jersey side, including boring, lining with waterproof concrete, and creating the Hudson County Shaft for Tunnel Boring Machine removal.
Leica introduces DD300 CONNECT for improved underground utility detection
By detecting the position of underground utility networks, the DD300 CONNECT aims to improve worker safety and prevent damage to underground infrastructures.
Underground explosion triggers fire in Virginia's Crystal City neighborhood
An underground utility fire occurred in Crystal City, a neighborhood in Arlington, Va., on July 23. The fire broke out on the 2400 block of Crystal Drive, following reports of an explosion heard and felt in the area.
Sewer service restored in West Maui after fires damage infrastructure
Some wastewater infrastructure was damaged during recent fires, cutting off service to many properties in affected areas.
GDC secures $16 billion for Hudson Tunnel project, set to create 95,000 jobs
The Gateway Development Commission has finalized the funding needed for the Hudson Tunnel Project, securing a total of $16 billion. The HTP, a major underground infrastructure project, will replace and expand the aging rail tunnel beneath the Hudson River.
Lynchburg, Va., begins Phase IV of downtown renewal, tackling aging utilities
The Downtown Renewal Construction Project, which began in 2016, is a multimillion-dollar investment aimed at upgrading Lynchburg's aging underground utility infrastructure and enhancing streetscapes.
Chesapeake Utilities expands Florida’s underground gas transmission with $46 million investment
The new facilities will consist of approximately 14 miles of new transmission infrastructure, a district regulator station, a tie-in with FCG's distribution system and an interconnect with existing PPC facilities.
OSHA cites contractor for fatal trench collapse in New Canaan, Conn.
A contractor from Easton could have prevented the death of an employee, who was repairing an underground water line, in a trench collapse at a New Canaan work site in December 2023, according to an investigation by OSHA.
Virginia town set to begin $104 million CSO tunnel project
The Blackwater CSO Tunnel will be a nearly mile-long, 12-foot-diameter underground tunnel located 70 to 120 feet beneath Blackwater Creek. It is designed to collect and store up to 4.7 million gallons of combined sewage and stormwater during heavy rains, preventing wastewater from overflowing into local waterways.
La Grange, Ill., secures $2 million for stormwater detention project
The proposed $8.9 million project includes the construction of 10-acre feet of underground stormwater detention. La Grange Village is actively pursuing additional funding sources to complete the financing for this essential infrastructure project.
Miller Lane water main installation project underway in Cheyenne, Wyo.
This project is part of the BOPU’s initiative to enhance water service reliability by renewing aging infrastructure. The work will be carried out by Aztec Construction Company.
Aging water infrastructure causes major water losses in Texas cities
Texas’ largest cities lost around 88 billion gallons of water last year due to old water infrastructure and extreme heat, resulting in significant financial losses and increased pressure on the state's water supply.
Xcel Energy updates $1.9 billion wildfire mitigation plan with undergrounding measures
Xcel Energy is making physical investments to reduce the risk of utility-caused wildfires. These measures include targeted undergrounding of power lines, line rebuilds, and non-expulsion upgrades in Tier 2 and Tier 3 risk areas.
- Tunnel boring machine ‘Clack-A-Mole’ nears one-third completion in Oregon outfall project
- Explosion in underground PG&E vault leaves one dead in Richmond, Calif.
- Tennessee pipeline gets initial FERC approval despite environmental concerns
- Sinkhole in Texas town accrues over $800,000 in sewer rehabilitation costs
- Water and Sewer Damage Awareness Week highlights infrastructure challenges
- Wisconsin proposes new PFAS drinking water standards to align with federal rules
- Elgin, Ill., joins EPA drinking water initiative to accelerate lead pipe replacement
- Dog River pipeline replacement in Oregon improves water supply with new HDPE pipe
- GasTracker Accurately Locates Plastic Gas Pipes
- Union County, Ga., breaks ground on $20.5 million fiber broadband expansion project