Underground Construction articles from April 2002

Underground Construction archives from April 2002

Changing of the guard at NASSCO: to say Burkhard inherited a mess would be an understatement. The association had been without an executive director for several months, financial issues were looming and membership was falling. NASSCO, despite its historic role in the industry, was in a fight for survival. (Editor's Log).
April 1, 2002... The lure - and benefits - of returning to a reputable, private company finally became just too great for former NASSCO Executive Director Michael Burkhard. His stay at NASSCO was relatively short - less than 2 1/2 years - but his imprint upon...

Trans Texas Corridor proposed. (Newsline: for the latest industry developments).
April 1, 2002... The Trans Texas Corridor initiative proposed by Governor Rick Perry is part of his plan to improve the state's aging and congested transportation network. His goal is to change the nature of transportation in Texas over the next several decades...

2002 IPLOCA Convention. (Newsline: for the latest industry developments).
April 1, 2002... Due to political unrest and economic problems in Argentina, the 2002 IPLOCA Convention will now be held in Bermuda instead of Buenos Aires, according to Daniel Sammartino, IPLOCA president. The convention will be held at the Fairmont,...

Studies cite future natural gas demand. (Newsline: for the latest industry developments).
April 1, 2002... The Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA) Foundation released two studies examining future natural gas demand in the U.S., and options for using natural gas to improve environmental performance at coal-fired power plants. ...

Pipebursting discussed at GCTA luncheon. (Newsline: for the latest industry developments).
April 1, 2002... Dave Holcomb, vice president of TT Technologies, Aurora, IL, discussed various applications of pipebursting in the municipal environment at the Gulf Coast Trenchless Association (GCTA) meeting held Feb. 13, at the Houston Engineering and...

NASSCO names new Executive Director. (Newsline: for the latest industry developments).
April 1, 2002... NASSCO Executive Director Michael Burkhard announced his resignation, effective March 25. The NASSCO board of directors named long-time industry participant and NASSCO member Irv Gemora as the new executive director. Burkhard, who has...

PLCA awards six scholarships. (Newsline: for the latest industry developments).
April 1, 2002... The Pipe Line Contractors Association (PLCA) awarded scholarships to six recipients during the 54th Annual Convention held in Bonita Springs, FL, in February. The recipients of the third annual PLCA Scholarship Fund are: Gina Guy, daughter of...

Judge rules: Port pays to move pipelines. (Newsline: for the latest industry developments).
April 1, 2002... U.S. District Judge Lynn N. Hughes ruled that the Port of Houston Authority is responsible for 100 percent of the costs to relocate pipelines affected by the Port's joint project with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to deepen and widen the...

Consumers can sue for clean water. (Newsline: for the latest industry developments).
April 1, 2002... On Feb. 4, the California Supreme Court upheld the right of consumers to sue water utilities over alleged failures to meet clean water standards. The ruling also discredited the argument that such suits unlawfully undercut the oversight...

Telecom firm files for bankruptcy. (Newsline: for the latest industry developments).
April 1, 2002... Telecommunications network builder Global Crossing has filed for bankruptcy protection. The New York Stock Exchange immediately halted trading in the shares of the Bermuda-based company, which spent billions building a worldwide fiber-optic...

FERC probes gas, electric prices. (Newsline: for the latest industry developments).
April 1, 2002... The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has issued a formal order to investige whether short-term prices for natural gas and electricity in West Coast markets were possibly manipulated last year. The agency's action was sparked by the Enron...

Broadband bill faces uphill battle in Senate. (Washington watch).
April 1, 2002... There are still some political roadblocks in the path of the four former regional Bell operating companies before they can start tearing up residential areas in a new "last mile" broadband push. The broadband bill the House passed on Feb. 27,...

Congress wants to increase clean water, SRF spending. (Washington watch).
April 1, 2002... With President Bush again proposing essentially "no-increase" budgets for the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRF), momentum is growing in Congress to force the President's hand. The leadership of the Senate Environment...

Alaska pipeline in discussion. (Washington watch).
April 1, 2002... Construction of an Alaskan natural gas pipeline was slated to emerge from the political shadows when the Senate considered an energy bill during March. Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) became a leading backer of the prospective...

Mabey Bridge & Shore. (Equipment Spotlight: trench safety products).
April 1, 2002... Mabey's PowerBrace System brings power engineering to your excavation. The PowerBrace System uses heavy duty modular steel rails, with telescoping hydraulic rams, to quickly forma waler frame. PowerBrace's innovative pinned corner design...

Efficiency Production. (Equipment Spotlight: trench safety products).
April 1, 2002... Efficiency Production's Shore-Trak is ideal for inner city excavations where existing utilities and other obstructions may cross the trench. The Shore-Trak system includes steel panel guide frames with narrow steel panels that slide down...

Safe-T-Shore. (Equipment Spotlight: trench safety products).
April 1, 2002... The Design-A-Shield modular aluminum trench shield system is one of the most innovative portable systems in the industry, It's modular design offers a versatile and lightweight alternative in trench protection, and in various shield...

Quik-Shor. (Equipment Spotlight: trench safety products).
April 1, 2002... Utilizing components proven over years of use, Quik-Shor has developed a close sheeting shore for the end of trenches. End Braces can be used in conjunction with any other shoring system from hydraulic shores to boxes. Trench End Braces can be...

PRO-TEC Equipment. (Equipment Spotlight: trench safety products).
April 1, 2002... Exceptional strength, versatility and selection are features of a completely new line of Aluminum Hydraulic Shores from PRO-TEC Equipment, Charlotte, MI. The new shores are manufactured of high yield aluminum alloy that makes them light in...

Speed Shore Corporation. (Equipment Spotlight: trench safety products).
April 1, 2002... Speed Shore's Aluminum Trench Shields are engineered for exceptional strength with minimal weight. Significantly lighter than steel trench shields, these aluminum shields are designed for ease of handling with a rubber-tired backhoe or light...

Tramac Corp. (Equipment Spotlight: compaction equipment).
April 1, 2002... Tramac's hydraulically-powered, boom-mounted vibratory plate compactors make the compaction of backfill in trenches safe because the operator never has to enter the trench. Available in four sizes of boom-mounted compactors to effectively fit...

Stone Construction. (Equipment Spotlight: compaction equipment).
April 1, 2002... The Rhino 66 inch Vibratory Dirt Roller joins the 43 inch and 54 inch models currently in the Rhino line offered by Stone Construction. The machine features dual amplitude with a choice of high or low compaction forces up to 28,249 pounds in...

BOMAG. (Equipment Spotlight: compaction equipment).
April 1, 2002... BOMAG Light Equipment Division has added the diesel-powered BT80D vibratory tamper to its line-up of compaction equipment. The unit's 4.4 horsepower Yanmar diesel engine eliminates the need to mix oil while providing fuel economy. It offers...

Felco Industries. (Equipment Spotlight: compaction equipment).
April 1, 2002... Vibratory plate compactors and compaction wheels are the two main types of attachments for excavators. Felco Industries offers the advantage of having a bucket around both styles of compactors. Felco's compaction buckets allow the excavator...

Multiquip. (Equipment Spotlight: compaction equipment).
April 1, 2002... The Rammax HHMR roller has been redesigned to deliver 18,450 pounds of centrifugal force. An updated Hatz 18.5 horsepower 2G40 engine (with an optional pre-cleaner) enhances the HHMR roller by providing amplitude of 2.2 inches at 1,800 vpm....

Massive potholing effort saves millions in Phoenix area.
April 1, 2002... If everything goes according to plan, construction will begin next year on the first segments of a new 20.3-mile light rail system to serve the Phoenix-Tempe-Mesa, Arizona areas. Three years after that, the Central Phoenix/East Valley Light...

One-call directory: dig safely.
April 1, 2002... ALABAMA Alabama One-Call ALASKA Locate Call Center of Alaska ARIZONA Arizona Blue Stake ARKANSAS Arkansas One Call System CALIFORNIA Underground...

Vacmasters introduces powerful vacuum excavator. (First Look).
April 1, 2002... Vacmasters has introduced a powerful new air vacuum-excavation system, the Vacmasters System 4000, which becomes the largest model in the company's line of vacuum excavators. The new unit is an efficient "soft" air excavation machine and...

Crews work to complete 84-inch siphon: 110-feet below downtown Houston streets.
April 1, 2002... For the past 18 months Boyer Inc. has been dodging underground utilities and traffic in a busy downtown Houston area in an effort to complete a $5.9 million construction project. From the outset, the project location in Houston presented...

Manufacturers find strong rental niche for vacuum excavators.
April 1, 2002... A long with horizontal directional drills, vacuum excavators are another victim of the slowdown of the nation's economy combined with the crash of the telecommunications industry. Rapid growth in demand for vacuum excavators over the past...

ARA inducts Irv Levine into hall of fame. (Rental News).
April 1, 2002... Multiquip's chairman and founder, Irving Levine, was inducted into the American Rental Association's Rental Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony took place at the opening session of the A.R.A. 46th Annual Convention and Trade Show in New...

Volvo opens rental centers in North America. (Rental News).
April 1, 2002... Volvo Construction Equipment's recently founded company Volvo Construction Equipment Rents, Inc., has signed agreements with three companies to launch its construction equipment rental operation in North America. The new independently...

Major by-pass pumping makes Phoenix CIPP project possible. (Rental News).
April 1, 2002... Godwin Pumps is supplying and overseeing the installation of 22 diesel, automatic self-priming pumps on an $8.2 million, 11,000-foot sewer relining project in and around Phoenix, AZ. Working through Insituform Technologies Inc., the...

DCA concludes 41st annual convention in Hawaii.
April 1, 2002... Over 250 attendees celebrated the Distribution Contractor Associations' 41st Anniversary at their recent convention at the Hyatt Regency in Kauai, Hawaii. Sunny, moderate weather did not hinder various committee and board meetings, social...

The Robbins Company. (Business: general industry reports).
April 1, 2002... The Robbins Company is consolidating its northeastern Ohio operations by moving its horizontal directional drilling group, Robbins HDD, from Macedonia, OH, to the company's expanded corporate headquarters in Solon, OH. The consolidation of...

Vermeer producing large, custom-built HDD rigs. (Business: general industry reports).
April 1, 2002... Recognizing the need for large horizontal directional drilling machines capable of performing longer-distance, larger-diameter installations that are supported by a worldwide dealership network, Vermeer Manufacturing Company has announced its...

Association of Equipment Manufacturers. (Business: general industry reports).
April 1, 2002... The consolidation of the Construction Industry Manufacturers Association (CIMA) and Equipment Manufacturers Institute (EMI) is completed with the election of the 2002 officers and directors to the board of the Association of Equipment...

Dragun Corp. (Business: general industry reports).
April 1, 2002... The Dragun Corporation, a Michigan based environmental consulting firm, announced the appointment of Matthew Schroeder, as project engineer. Schroeder was previously employed by the Dragun Corp. from 1995 to 2000 and recently rejoined the...

Century Products, CETCO a good mix. (Business: general industry reports).
April 1, 2002... The horizontal directional drilling boom of the 1990s transformed many companies by commanding their attention on a fast-paced--and to some--a completely new market. Opened in 1982 as a wholesale distributor of environmental drilling supplies,...

Commercial Resins. (Business: general industry reports).
April 1, 2002... Commercial Resins Co. has opened a new pipe coating facility in Blytheville, AR. The plant doubles the capacity of the company's existing coating plants. Pipe lengths up to 75 feet in 2 inch to 24 inch OD can be coated with fusion bonded epoxy...

PBS&J. (Business: general industry reports).
April 1, 2002... PBS&J has established a National Energy Division to address crossover applications of engineering and environmental consulting services. John Schenck, Sr., vice president and division manager, says that the new division will bring together...

Kem-Tron. (New Products: the latest products).
April 1, 2002... Kem-Tron's Tango 1000S Mud Recycling and Mixing Unit is one of the first systems of its kind in the HDD industry. The unit is mounted on three heavy-duty oilfield type skids for maximum flexibility of use. The 1,000 gpm mud recycling unit is...

McLaughlin Mfg. (New Products: the latest products).
April 1, 2002... The new McL-48/54 Auger Boring System by McLaughlin offers 475 tons at 5,000 psi forward thrust and 170,000-foot pounds peak auger torque in first gear. Cased boring sizes range from 16-54 inches in diameter. The power train includes an...

American Augers. (New Products: the latest products).
April 1, 2002... A self-contained compact drill, the DD-10 has a thrust/pullback rating of 95,000 pounds and 15,000 foot-pounds of rotary torque. In addition, a 200 gpm mud pump is mounted on board. In the transport position, the drill is over 28 feet long and...

Super Products. (New Products: the latest products).
April 1, 2002... Super Products introduces the "Mud Dog", a highly versatile hydroexcavator that will allow you to remove soil and debris quickly and safely, without damage to underground utilities. With vacuum pump options up to 5500 cfm and 28-inch Hg, Mud...

Ditch Witch. (New Products: the latest products).
April 1, 2002... Ditch Witch has incorporated a Caterpillar 3024C water-cooled diesel engine into their model 3700 Trencher. The 3700CD Trencher provides 50 horse-power at 2,800 rpm and features indirect injection with a cassette-type fuel injection system. The...

Hancor. (New Products: the latest products).
April 1, 2002... EcoFirst pipe, another option in Hancor's diverse product line, is a heavy-duty, dual-wall pipe that utilizes post-industrial recycled polyethylene. For non-pressure drainage applications that have a non-AASHTO requirement for environmental...

BTI. (New Products: the latest products).
April 1, 2002... Breaker Technology Inc. (BTI) offers a new brochure describing the TB Breaker Series. The BTI TB hydraulic breaker design incorporates only two internal moving parts, offering reliability and long life. Each breaker has a width range of oil...

Maxx-Trak MT-800 cable pusher features faster set up. (New Products: the latest products).
April 1, 2002... Arnco Corporation has introduced the Maxx-Trak MT-800, a system designed to push a variety of cables and coilable HDPE products into existing HDPE or PVC conduit. The unit's powerful hydraulic motors deliver up to 800 pounds of push force at...

Caterpillar. (New Products: the latest products).
April 1, 2002... The 325C L Hydraulic Excavator replaces the model 325B L. It offers increased horse-power and hydraulic flow, a new cab and interior layout for easier operation, and new work tool options for expanded versatility. Longer service intervals and...

Case unveils new products. (New Products: the latest products).
April 1, 2002... At a recent trade media event in Anaheim, CA, Case Construction Equipment unveiled several new products highlighted by the largest excavator ever offered by Case--the new 80 metric-ton CX800. Also introduced were the CX290 and CX210 excavators,...

Calendar: important upcoming industry events.
April 1, 2002... 2002 ASTM Committee Meeting: April 15-18, F-17 On Plastic Piping Systems, Hilton Hotel, Pittsburgh, PA. Contact Pat Picariello, ASTM, (610) 832-9720, ppicarie@astm.org. UCT Seminar Series: April 17-18, Advanced Trenchless Municipal...

Sauereisen appoints three officers. (News Update).
April 1, 2002... Sauereisen Inc., a Pittsburgh-based manufacturer of specialty cements and corrosion-resistant products announces the appointment of three corporate officers. The board of directors has elected J. Eric Sauereisen as president, C. Karl...

CUES announces partnership with Bowman. (News Update).
April 1, 2002... CUES Inc., a manufacturer of pipeline CCTV inspection and reinstatement equipment, announced a formal partnership agreement between CUES and the Bowman Tool Company of Berlin, PA. Sandy Milley, president and CEO of CUES in expressing his...

Pipeline Technologies joins Canadian inspection leader. (News Update).
April 1, 2002... The Pressure Pipe Inspection Company Ltd. of Ontario, Canada is expanding its presence in the U.S. by acquiring Pipeline Technologies of Scottsdale, AZ. "Pipeline Technologies is a great fit with our company," said Pressure Pipe President...

BRH-Garver hosts CIGMAT/GCTA Lecture Series. (News Update).
April 1, 2002... Houston-based contractor BRH-Garver Inc. hosted a lecture and demonstration on Feb. 27 as a means of communicating the cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) technology to local municipalities, consulting engineers and students. The lecture was part of a...

Environmental Pipeliners installs 78-inch CIPP liner. (News Update).
April 1, 2002... Environmental Pipeliners Co. Inc. (EP) recently completed the cured-in-place lining portion of the $770,000 Wastewater Treatment Plant Influent Line and Diversion Chamber Rehabilitation project for the City of Middletown, OH. Environmental...

Hunting Industrial Coatings forms two divisions. (News Update).
April 1, 2002... Hunting Industrial Coatings has formed two new divisions--Hunting Pipeline Services LLC of Cincinnati, OH, and Hunting HTI Rehab Inc. of Lancaster, OH. Hunting HTI Rehab specializes in the design, manufacture and installation of the...

Hobas wins Las Vegas contract. (News Update).
April 1, 2002... When is came time to renew the Sloan Lane Interceptor, the city of Las Vegas contracted Hobas Pipe for the renovation job. The renovation utilized more than 12,500 feet of 40-, 45- and 51-inch Hobas centrifugally cast fiberglass reinforced...

NeoPoxy. (Lining Systems).
April 1, 2002... NeoPoxy Corporation's PureEpoxy lining systems for potable water, industrial and petroleum pressure pipelines are a new addition to the contractor's infrastructure rehabilitation tool kit. These lining systems and technologies are unparalleled...

MaxLiner. (Lining Systems).
April 1, 2002... MaxLiner provides the most portable, complete and effective system for small diameter pipe relining. The MaxLiner Lateral Relining System is easy--easy to install, easy to afford and easy to learn from our qualified technical support and...

Miller Pipeline Corp. (Lining Systems).
April 1, 2002... The EX Method expanded-in-place pipe from Miller Pipeline reconstructs sewer or water supply piping with snug-fitting, high-performance PVC piping. It provides a new pipe-within-a-pipe for durability, corrosion protection and earthquake...

CIPP Corporation. (Lining Systems).
April 1, 2002... CIPP Corporation is comprised of a team of professional sewer rehabilitation contractors installing the most widely accepted process of renewing collection system piping--cured-in-place pipe. These teams have unequaled experience in all phases...

Applied Felts. (Lining Systems).
April 1, 2002... Applied Felts introduces its new product line to the cured-in-place industry. New product designations include AquaCure, AquaCure PI, CalHose PI, AmbiCure, SteamCure and others. These liners, which bring the same enduring quality Applied Felts...

Inliner Technologies. (Lining Systems).
April 1, 2002... Inliner Technologies is a worldwide supplier of trenchless pipe rehabilitation technologies, products and services. Inliner-branded products have been used all over the world since 1986 to rehabilitate over 1,200 miles of pipe and conduits. Our...

National EnviroTech Group. (Lining Systems).
April 1, 2002... National Liner is a premium cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) trenchless rehabilitation system designed to rehabilitate sanitary and stormwater pipelines ranging from 6 to 120 inches in diameter. Once National Liner is inverted and expanded into the...

Trolining. (Lining Systems).
April 1, 2002... Trolining's fiber-optic cables can now be installed in the wall of its formed-in-place structural pipe so that the relined sewer pipe becomes a right-of-way for the fiber-optic cable owner. This creates a win-win situation throughout the...

Linabond. (Lining Systems).
April 1, 2002... Linabond works with wastewater engineers and contractors to protect or rehabilitate large diameter pipelines and tunnels. The Co-Lining principle, developed nearly two decades ago, combines the impermeability of a PVC liner with rigid cellular...

Danby of North America. (Lining Systems).
April 1, 2002... Danby can now provide you with another option for all of your large diameter culvert lining needs. The Danby Culvert Lining System can rehab culverts with diameters 24 inches and up, any shape (oval, arch, circular, etc.), and any material...

Ultraliner. (Lining Systems).
April 1, 2002... Ultraliner's PVC Alloy, a uniquely enhanced PVC pipe, has been specifically engineered for trenchless applications. PVC Alloy provides full-structural integrity with high impacts and dimensional stability. Ultraliner manufacturers sizes four to...

Masterliner. (Lining Systems).
April 1, 2002... Masterliner is a worldwide supplier of trenchless pipe rehabilitation products. We manufacture both dry felt liners and resin impregnated tubes for a full range of pipe sizes and custom pipe diameters. Masterliner offers four methods of...

FirstLiner USA. (Lining Systems).
April 1, 2002... FirstLiner presents the Accurate Solution. Cured-in-place pipe for process sewers, storm sewers, process water lines, cooling water lines and force mains for both municipal and industrial applications in diameters ranging from 4 to 120 inches....

Rib Loc Group Limited. (Lining Systems).
April 1, 2002... Ribsteel is a structural liner used for renovating fully deteriorated large pipelines. Ribsteel is formed by spirally winding a thermoplastic strip into an existing pipe via a machine placed in the access chamber. The pipe is over wrapped with...

Insituform Technologies. (Lining Systems).
April 1, 2002... Insituform is a worldwide company specializing in trenchless technologies used to rehabilitate, replace and maintain underground pipes. Our processes, used globally, include cured-in-place rehabilitation, fold and form rehabilitation,...

Rinker Materials/Pipeline Systems. (Lining Systems).
April 1, 2002... As an alternative to the cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) trenchless pipeline rehabilitation process, U-Liner is a unique, patented pipeline repair system designed to repair cracked and/or leaking sanitary sewer, potable water, industrial and gas...

Finalizes nation-wide Pipeline Assessment & Certification Program. (NASSCO).
April 1, 2002... This year the U.S. wastewater industry marks a significant milestone - one that is expected to provide long-term benefits in continuing efforts to maintain and rehabilitate the nation's sanitary sewer systems. Following months of intensive...

Aggressive sewer rehab program provides results for Seattle.
April 1, 2002... The city of Seattle embraced trenchless construction methods earlier than most major metropolitan areas, and continues to use trenchless procedures to rehabilitate segments of pipelines in its extensive wastewater system. "Seattle's...

Columbus, GA, expands successful, in-house pipebursting.
April 1, 2002... Columbus Water Works (CWW), Columbus, GA, has a dubious distinction. The water and sewer utility is undoubtedly one of the most experienced pipebursting utilities in the United States - more pipebursting has been completed in-house by CWW than...

NASSCO convention sets pace for continued strong growth. (NASSCO).
April 1, 2002... Continuing its course of growth and increased member services, NASSCO held its 26th annual convention from Jan. 30- Feb. 2 at the Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa, in Fort Meyers, FL. Most of the over 100 delegates to the annual meeting termed the...

Top industry workshop to be held in Pittsburgh. (UCT Seminar Series).
April 1, 2002... Advanced information and specifics on the viability and cost-effectiveness of various trenchless methods in a multitude of municipal applications will be the focus of the Municipal Trenchless Sewer & Water Workshop to be held June 6-7, at the...