Utility Infrastructure
Columbia Gas to replace high-pressure lines, add utility stations in Upper Arlington, Ohio
Columbia Gas is set to begin a major infrastructure overhaul across Upper Arlington in 2025, with projects aimed at replacing aging high-pressure gas lines and adding two above-ground utility stations.
Indiana American Water completes $45 million acquisition of Silver Creek Water
The transaction expands the utility’s service area to approximately 8,000 new customers in Silver Creek and Carr Townships in Clark County, and New Albany Township in Floyd County, located in southern Indiana.
CGA opens registration for 25th annual conference in Orlando, Florida
The conference will bring together industry leaders to reflect on CGA’s quarter-century legacy and explore future innovations in damage prevention.
Weeks after storm, major infrastructure repairs continue on I-40, utilities in Western North Carolina
Several weeks after Hurricane Helene swept through Western North Carolina, significant infrastructure damage, including key sections of I-40 and local utilities, continues to hamper the region.
CGA’s 2023 DIRT report shows fewer utility damages, urges action on locating delays
The Common Ground Alliance (CGA) has released its 2023 Damage Information Reporting Tool (DIRT) Report, showing a drop in utility damage incidents but highlighting ongoing challenges in reducing damages to buried infrastructure.
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.
U.S. largest water utility American Water restores systems after cyberattack
American Water, the largest U.S. water and wastewater utility, is in the process of securely restoring systems that were temporarily taken offline following a cybersecurity incident reported on Oct. 7.
Water utilities race to complete lead line inventories as EPA deadline looms
As the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Oct. 16 deadline approaches, water utilities across the U.S. are scrambling to submit detailed inventories of lead service lines as required by the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR), according to the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).
HardRock Infrastructure acquires HDW Construction & Drilling, expands water utility services
HardRock Infrastructure Services and Tower Arch Capital have completed the acquisition of HDW Construction & Drilling, strengthening HardRock’s presence in the water and wastewater utility industry.
Midland, Texas, faces road closures amid utility infrastructure overhaul
As of this week, Colorado Street between Texas Avenue and Wall Street has been closed for Atmos Energy's utility upgrades. North County Road 1160 is also closed from East County Road 90 to the Highway 80 frontage road to facilitate sewer line installations.
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.
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.
Ferguson Waterworks partners with AQS for nationwide leak detection solutions
Through this collaboration, Ferguson Waterworks will supply and maintain AQS’s advanced leak management systems for water supply networks, including both distribution and transmission lines.
Utility services firm Precision acquires pipeline integrity specialist Allegheny Contracting
Allegheny provides gas transmission pipeline integrity services, including repair and maintenance from regulatory inspections, and the repair and replacement of underground gas distribution pipelines.
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.
Emergency rehabilitation brings back Baltimore’s Back River outfall interceptor
Baltimore's Back River Outfall Interceptor underwent emergency rehabilitation due to severe damage and deterioration. The project involved advanced techniques and collaboration between Boyer Inc. and Ulliman Schutte Construction to restore the 1907 structure.
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.
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.
Golden State Water and Cal Advocates reach $573 million settlement for rate case
American States Water Company's subsidiary, Golden State Water Company, has reached a settlement with the Public Advocates Office (Cal Advocates) concerning its water utility rate case.
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.
Tennessee awards $17 million for infrastructure, including water and sewer upgrades
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter announced $17 million in grants for infrastructure improvements, including water and sewer upgrades.
Southport merges water and sewer services with Brunswick County
The City of Southport in North Carolina has merged its water and wastewater systems with Brunswick County Public Utilities, affecting around 3,500 customers. This transition is effective immediately.
Oregon utility regulator rejects PacifiCorp’s bid to limit wildfire liability in lawsuits
Oregon utility regulators have rejected a request from PacifiCorp that sought to limit its liability in wildfire lawsuits. Under the proposal, PacifiCorp would only have been responsible for paying out actual economic damages in lawsuit awards.
Editor’s log: Waiting on the storms
By the end of 2024, somewhere between $80 and $100 billion will have been dished out to cities, power utilities, fiber companies and miscellaneous entities to solve a fraction of America’s underground infrastructure needs.
Hope Gas expands West Virginia reach with Consumers Gas Utility purchase
Hope Gas has finalized an agreement to acquire Consumers Gas Utility Company in West Virginia, pending approval from the state's Public Service Commission.
Core & Main to acquire EGW Utilities, enhancing underground utility offerings
Core & Main Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire EGW Utilities Inc., a distributor of quality products and services to underground utility contractors and municipalities, based in Texas.
Insights and trends: Latest developments in utility and communications construction
The beginning of 2024 is shaping up to be just as dynamic as we had expected going into the year. The election stage is set for November, the Federal Reserve is trying to thread the needle between fighting inflation and making the “soft landing,” and most distressing, we all witnessed a terrible tragedy in the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.
Georgia’s Cobb County proposes new stormwater management fee to tackle aging infrastructure
Cobb County is grappling with the challenges posed by aging infrastructure, prompting officials to consider innovative solutions. In response, they are suggesting the introduction of a stormwater utility fee, projected to range from $2 to $4 monthly for the average homeowner.
- 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
- Wyo-Ben’s Max Gel, Max Bore HDD system boost drilling efficiency, performance
- Texas A&M weighs underground transit plan with Elon Musk's Boring Co. to reduce campus traffic
- 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
- New Portable Welding System From Miller
- Excavator Causes Puerto Rico Power Outage