Underground Infrastructure
PG&E curtails plan to bury over 3,500 miles of power lines in effort to reduce wildfires
(UI) — In order to reduce the risk of wildfires in the western United States, California-based electric utility and natural gas supplier PG&E Inc. has scaled back its plans to lay over 3,600 miles of power lines underground through 2026. Beginning in June, PG&E will be tried for manslaughter in connection with fire fatalities allegedly resulting from its overhead power lines, which were blamed for the deadliest wildfire in California history in 2018.
Vortex introduces UV CIPP System to support underground infrastructure rehabilitation
Accommodating pipe diameters 6” to 80”, Vortex’s IMS UV Curing Systems deploy an ultra-violet ‘light chain’ and infrared sensors to capture data every 12” to ensure a complete cure and improve installation efficiencies.
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.
Convention Preview: Workforce Development, Damage Prevention Are High on PCCA’s Agenda
(UI) — The Power & Communication Contractors Association (PCCA) entered 2023 focused on issues surrounding the influx of federal funds into the broadband and electric power markets, primarily finding a sufficient workforce, keeping the underground space safe and dealing with various stipulations placed upon the funding. PCCA also has two meetings planned for 2023 – the 78th Annual Convention in Miami, Fla., March 3–8, and the Mid-Year Meeting in Dana Point, Calif., Aug. 6-9.
Geophysical Survey Systems unveils ground penetrating radar system for underground utilities
The UtilityScan DF is an ideal choice for identifying buried utilities at multiple depths. Both metallic and non-metallic targets can be identified quickly and easily, and GSSI’s patented LineTrac technology gives users the ability to detect AC power and induced RF energy present in buried utilities.
Reconstructing Utility Construction: How New Equipment Attachments Address an Infrastructure Crisis
(UI) — Utility construction is a crucial piece of addressing the infrastructure crisis around the world. The origin of utilities may bring to mind grandiose stories like Thomas Edison failing 1,000 times in his pursuit to invent the lightbulb before succeeding.
White House aims to speed up pace of infrastructure construction
The White House hosted a summit last week to help speed up construction projects tied to the $1 trillion infrastructure law as the Biden administration tries to improve coordination with the mayors and governors who directly account for 90% of the spending.
RehabZone: A Trenchless Experience
(UC) — A UCT exclusive, RehabZone is the original, hands-on, interactive educational experience, in the exhibit hall, for the sewer and water industry. This self-paced, walk-through exhibit-within-the-exhibit provides a comprehensive look at modern rehabilitation methods in a no-sell environment.
South Dakota natural resources department to provide $167 million for infrastructure projects
(UC) — A new drinking water well, connection piping, sanitary sewer repairs and water line replacements are among the projects that will be funded by $167.2 million in grants and loans from the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Lawyer: Mississippi capital’s water issues to be best handled by court system
(UC) — A New York City-based attorney who has filed federal lawsuits against Jackson, Mississippi, since October 2021 thinks the court system is best suited to handle the decades of neglect that led to the current infrastructure crisis.
UCT Opens Registration for Orlando Event, Industry-Leading Education Program Announced
As 2023 nears and the underground infrastructure industry eyes emerging opportunities for the new year, registration has officially opened for the Underground Construction Technology Conference & Exhibition (UCT) – the leading educational and exhibition event to provide essential intelligence, information and business leads. c
Mississippi capital: Water everywhere, but none to drink
Mississippi’s capital city is grappling with multiple water problems — there’s been too much on the ground after heavy rainfall in the past week, and not enough safe water coming through the pipes for people to use.
Car swallowed by sinkhole caused by water main break in Boston
A break in a 20-inch (51-centimeter) water main in Boston sent water rushing down a city street, formed a sinkhole that swallowed a vehicle, and flooded area basements, city officials said.
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.
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.
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.
Odessa, Texas, without drinking water after pipe breaks amid scorching temperatures
Crews worked to restore water service Wednesday to the West Texas city of Odessa, where residents have been without water this week amid scorching temperatures after an aging pipe broke.
$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.
Report: Navy’s Hawaii fuel tanks need repair before draining
A contractor hired by the Navy is recommending a series of structural repairs to a massive fuel tank farm in Hawaii to make sure the facility doesn’t leak petroleum when its tanks are drained.
$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.
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.
Alaska civil engineers give the state’s infrastructure a “C-” grade
Alaska receives a grade "C-" for the state's infrastructure.
Kentucky receives $19M for water, sewer projects
Northern Kentucky receives $19M for water, sewer projects.
UCT 2022 gathers in Fort Worth, TX
UCT 2022 gathered in Fort Worth, TX to recognize educational presenters and promotors within the industry.
New standard will support the use of concrete pipe in trenchless construction
A new standard has been approved by ATSM International that will help in concrete pipe manufacturing in trenchless construction.
Corps: $2.6B in Louisiana infrastructure, disaster money
The Army Corps of Engineers will be getting $2.6 billion for Louisiana under the infrastructure and supplemental disaster acts.
EPA Invites 39 Metropolitan Districts to Apply for Water Infrastructure Loans
The agency anticipates that, as funds become available, $6.7 billion in WIFIA loans will help finance over $15 billion in water infrastructure projects to protect public health and water quality across 24 states.
Construction Temporarily Halted on $1B Transmission Line
A $1 billion transmission line is suspending construction at the request of Maine's governor.
Industry Study Evaluates Underground Facility Locating Process
A comprehensive study is now available that investigates the facility locating process and offers underground facility operators recommendations to accurately locate and mark their facilities.
- Tunnel boring machine ‘Clack-A-Mole’ nears one-third completion in Oregon outfall project
- Lynchburg, Va., breaks ground on largest-ever Blackwater CSO tunnel project
- Texas A&M weighs underground transit plan with Elon Musk's Boring Co. to reduce campus traffic
- Wyo-Ben’s Max Gel, Max Bore HDD system boost drilling efficiency, performance
- Colorado's Wolf Creek Pass tunnel drainage project begins
- 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
- Leaking wastewater systems named top source of San Diego River contamination, study finds
- New Portable Welding System From Miller