Utility Infrastructure
Canada plans active building of underground transmission infrastructure
Canada is accelerating plans to expand underground transmission infrastructure as utilities modernize aging grids, harden systems against extreme weather and prepare for rising urban electricity demand.
2026 outlook bright for utility and communications construction markets
Utility and communications construction markets are heading into 2026 with strong momentum, driven by data center growth, rising power demand, grid investment and continued water and pipeline infrastructure work.
‘We can’t build the way we used to’: SAWS COO calls for a new utility playbook
At UIC 2026 in San Antonio, SAWS COO Andrea Huizar Beymer warned utilities that innovation, trenchless technology and long-term planning are no longer optional as growth and aging infrastructure collide nationwide.
New York City targets buried utility conflicts with high-security digital map
New York City is developing a secure, limited-access 3D map of underground utilities to reduce construction delays, cut costs and improve emergency response.
Lynchburg, Va., starts 20-month utility rebuild in College Hill
Lynchburg, Va., will begin a 20-month utility reconstruction project in the College Hill neighborhood, replacing century-old water, sewer and stormwater infrastructure starting in January 2026.
Dominion proposes 186-mile underground HVDC power line across Virginia
Virginia officials have backed Dominion Energy’s proposal for a 186-mile underground HVDC transmission line designed to boost electric capacity into Loudoun County as regional demand continues to surge.
Centuri lands nearly $500 million in new North American utility and pipeline contracts
Centuri has secured nearly $500 million in new electric, gas and telecom infrastructure awards across North America, pushing its 2025 bookings above $4.3 billion. The new contracts include major gas distribution, pipeline replacement and substation upgrade projects in the U.S. and Canada.
Alectra wins 2025 Underground Environmental Stewardship Award for cable rejuvenation gains
Alectra Utilities has received Southwire’s 2025 Underground Environmental Stewardship Award for its underground cable rejuvenation program, which delivered major reductions in greenhouse-gas emissions and extended asset life across its system.
Jacobs to lead $200 million infrastructure program supporting El Paso regional growth
Jacobs has been selected by El Paso Water to manage a major $200 million infrastructure development program near El Paso International Airport and Fort Bliss. The multi-phase effort will plan and deliver new water, wastewater and stormwater systems across 4,500 acres to support regional growth, expand service capacity, and strengthen long-term resilience.
NYC launches 3D Underground mapping platform to modernize utility coordination
New York City has launched a $10 million 3D mapping platform to digitize underground utilities and soil conditions citywide. The initiative will improve excavation safety, streamline capital projects, and strengthen emergency response through secure data sharing among agencies and utility partners.
Tiger Infrastructure backs national expansion of ELM’s underground utility locating services
Tiger Infrastructure Partners has made a major growth investment in ELM Utility Services, one of the nation’s leading underground utility locating providers. The deal will fuel ELM’s nationwide expansion and strengthen its efforts to help utilities prevent line strikes, protect buried infrastructure, and improve service reliability across growing networks.
Reno County launches RNG project to turn landfill gas into pipeline-ready fuel
Reno County, Kansas has partnered with Greenview Energy and Sparq Renewables on a new RNG facility that will capture landfill methane, convert it to natural gas, and inject it into local utility infrastructure — delivering emissions reductions, new revenue, and local jobs.
Lightpath adds 100 miles of underground fiber network across New York region
Lightpath expanded its underground fiber network by 100 miles across the New York metro area, supporting 5G and AI-driven infrastructure for carriers and enterprises in New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey.
Utility & communications construction update
Daniel Shumate, Managing Director, FMI Capital Advisors Inc. Across the underground utility infrastructure segment, companies are performing quite well in the power, gas distribution and water and wastewater construction segments. Strong investment by investor-owned utilities, the federal governm..
Buildots launches AI tool to track underground utility progress using drone imagery
Buildots has introduced an industry-first underground utility tracking solution that transforms drone imagery into structured progress intelligence. The AI-driven system provides real-time visibility, pace monitoring, and delay risk analysis for critical underground infrastructure—enhancing project control from early construction phases.
New York approves buried power line for Micron’s $100 billion semiconductor facility
New York has approved a two-mile underground transmission line to connect National Grid’s Clay substation with Micron’s $100 billion semiconductor megafab in Onondaga County — a key step toward powering the largest private investment in state history.
Iowa city moves forward with $13 million underground fiber project
Decorah, Iowa, is investing $13 million in a citywide fiber network that will deliver gigabit internet to every home and business by 2027. The locally financed project, operated by AcenTek, marks a major step in expanding rural broadband access.
Centuri wins nearly $400 million in U.S. utility infrastructure contracts
Centuri Holdings has secured nearly $400 million in U.S. utility and energy infrastructure contracts, including a major Midwest pipeline replacement tied to PHMSA’s Gas Mega Rule and a multi-year natural gas distribution upgrade in New England.
Dublin, Ohio moves South High Street utilities underground in major upgrade
Dublin, Ohio is relocating overhead power and telecom lines underground along South High Street as part of a multi-year utility burial project. Phase 2 is underway and expected to finish in spring 2026.
Boulder, Colo., moves utilities underground at Chautauqua to cut wildfire risk
Boulder is undergrounding utilities at Chautauqua, relocating power lines and fiber while upgrading water systems to cut wildfire risk and improve reliability.
Agile Utility Partners expands subsurface services with Ground Hawk acquisition
Agile Utility Partners, LLC has expanded its field service offerings with the acquisition of Ground Hawk, LLC, a subsurface utility engineering (SUE) company specializing in inspection, locating, and mapping.
AI adoption accelerates in underground infrastructure as SewerAI reports strong utility uptake
A new market analysis shows utilities are adopting AI faster to manage underground infrastructure. SewerAI reports strong retention and cost savings as demand for digital water solutions grows.
Kenya builds $120 million transmission line to carry geothermal power across western region
Kenya is investing $120 million in an 81-km (50-mile) transmission line to move geothermal power from Olkaria to western regions, strengthening the grid and cutting reliance on costly gas turbines.
Dublin, Ohio, advances South High Street utility burial project
Dublin, Ohio, is moving ahead with Phase 2 of its South High Street utility burial project, shifting overhead power and telecom lines underground. Work is scheduled to finish in spring 2026.
New UK partnership will deploy over 90,000 sewer monitors to improve system resilience
Netmore Group has entered into a partnership with Detectronic, a UK-based environmental and engineering company with a focus on helping utilities and industrial clients prevent flooding and reduce pollution.
Utility & communications construction update
Daniel Shumate, Managing Director, FMI Capital Advisors Inc. If you happened to be Rip Van Winkle and fell asleep at the beginning of 2025 and awoke in July, you would have no idea of the volatility that the public markets experienced and the global confl..
Letter to the Editor: Missing as-built records fuel underground utility strike risks
A trenchless services expert weighs in on the ongoing debate over underground utility strikes, pointing to a critical issue many in the industry overlook: incomplete as-built documentation. Could addressing this gap be the key to preventing future strikes?
Seadmok Water expands water and sewer services to Michigan, Maryland
Seadmok Water expands its water and sewer services to Grand Rapids, Michigan, bringing utility infrastructure solutions to meet rising demand in both Michigan and Maryland.
Exodigo raises $96 million to expand AI underground mapping for U.S., global projects
Underground mapping innovator Exodigo has secured $96 million in funding, doubling its valuation based on global demand from utility, transportation and infrastructure leaders. Exodigo's technology focuses on mapping buried pipes, wires and utility assets, to make designing and constructing new buildings, highways, subways, and other massive infrastructure projects safer and avoid unnecessary excavation.
Japan plans to bury 13,500 miles of power lines by 2030 to protect disaster routes
Japan’s infrastructure ministry plans to bury thousands of miles of power lines by 2030 to protect disaster routes and modernize city landscapes.
- Dominion proposes 186-mile underground HVDC power line across Virginia
- Inside Sempra’s 72-mile pipeline with 18 major trenchless crossings
- Infrastructure failure releases 100,000 gallons of wastewater in Houston; repairs ongoing
- Trump vetoes bill to finish $1.3 billion Colorado water pipeline
- Massive water line failure leaves majority of Waterbury without service
- Glenfarne Alaska LNG targets late-2026 construction start for 807-mile pipeline project
- Massive water line failure leaves majority of Waterbury without service
- Infrastructure failure releases 100,000 gallons of wastewater in Houston; repairs ongoing
- Construction jobs stumble into 2026 after weak year
- Worm-like robot burrows underground to cut power line installation costs