Underground Construction articles from April 2003

Underground Construction archives from April 2003

No limits. (Editor's Log).
April 1, 2003... As modern underground construction and rehabilitation methods and technologies continue to improve and offer enhanced capabilities, industry personnel will always find innovative applications and ways to push the limits of equipment. This...

Atlanta ends privatization deal. (Newsline: for the latest industry developments).
April 1, 2003... After just four years, Atlanta city officials have decided to dissolve a 20-year operations and maintenance contract with United Water Harrington Park, NJ, "The city of Atlanta and United Water have agreed that the 20-year contract is not in...

House seek $25 billion for SRFs. (Newsline: for the latest industry developments).
April 1, 2003... Reps. Sue Kelly (R-NY) and Ellen Tauscher (D-CA) have proposed legislation that would authorize $25 billion over five years for Clean Water State Revolving Funds. SRF appropriations for wastewater were $1.35 billion in 2002. The bill,...

EPA stormwater regulations upheld. (Newsline: for the latest industry developments).
April 1, 2003... The U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco rejected claims that the Environmental Protection Agency exceeded its authority by requiring cities and developers to stop contamination of stormwater before it flows into rivers, lakes...

Network Infrastructure provider secures $14 million in funding. (Newsline: for the latest industry developments).
April 1, 2003... S&N Communications has secured $14 million in private equity funding from Wingate Partners, a Dallas-based private equity firm. FMI Capital acted as the exclusive financial advisor to S&N in this transaction. S&N is a provider of network...

GCTA: city officials budget discussed. (Newsline: for the latest industry developments).
April 1, 2003... Robert Carpenter, editor of Underground Construction magazine, was invited by the Gulf Coast Trenchless Association (GCTA) to present the results of Underground Construction's 6th Annual Municipal Sewer & Water Underground Infrastructure...

Distribution Construction Company honored for military support. (Newsline: for the latest industry developments).
April 1, 2003... The North Carolina Committee of Employer Support of the National Guard and Reserve (ESGR) recognized Fred W. Cripps (left), owner and CEO of Distribution Construction Co., for his company's exceptional leadership in implementing employment...

Large diameter pipe demand to reach 200 million feet in 2007. (Newsline: for the latest industry developments).
April 1, 2003... Based on a study from industrial market research firm The Freedonia Group, Cleveland, OH, large diameter pipe demand in the U.S. is projected to reach 2.4 percent annually to nearly 200 million feet in 2007, valued at $7.6 billion. Contributing...

Telecommunications private line market in limited growth. (Newsline: for the latest industry developments).
April 1, 2003... Robust revenue growth from the sale of private line circuits sold by local telcos to other carriers suggests that there is still market demand for high-capacity circuits, despite an industry recession attributed to excess network capacity, says...

Sewage leaks into Mediterranean. (Newsline: for the latest industry developments).
April 1, 2003... A 4.5 kilometer-long crack was discovered in the main sewerage line serving the city of Tel Aviv and its suburbs where raw sewerage is being dumped into the Mediterranean Sea south of Tel Aviv. Israel's environmental ministry has ordered a halt...

Directional rock drilling seminar. (Newsline: for the latest industry developments).
April 1, 2003... Halco Directional Drilling Products, in conjunction with CME and DCI, will be staging a seminar in mid-May to demonstrate the latest in directional rock drilling technology at a rock quarry near St. Louis, MO. The seminar will include equipment...

Rising gas prices may influence energy bill. (Washington Watch).
April 1, 2003... Congressional concern over this winter's fast-rising natural gas prices brings to mind the opening bar of the song "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas." Except that members of Congress are substituting the words "California in the...

RSPA gas pipeline rule sows confusion. (Washington Watch).
April 1, 2003... No one could say the new, proposed federal standards for inspection of pipelines in populated areas were unexpected. But a lot of people in the pipeline industry are saying they are confusing. The Research and Special Programs Administration...

FERC declares some pipeline details "CEII". (Washington Watch).
April 1, 2003... Trying to find some middle ground between the new priority for "homeland security" and the public's "right to know," FERC agreed in its final rule on critical energy infrastructure information (CEII) to keep some kinds of pipeline maps out of...

Trench Plate Rental/Quik-Shor. (Equipment spotlight: trench shore & safety products).
April 1, 2003... TB Penick & Son's Inc. was awarded a contract to install 10,100 feet of pipeline for the Good Hope System improvements in Perris, CA. TB Penick made one call to Trench Plate Rental for all its and safety Through its subsidiary manufacturing...

Allied construction products. (Equipment spotlight: trench shore & safety products).
April 1, 2003... Allied Tren-Shore Systems are engineered for safety and reliability. The Tren-Shore "fold-flat" design permits quick installation without having to enter an unsecured trench. One person can install and remove the Tren-Shore System, all from...

Efficiency Production Inc. (Equipment spotlight: trench shore & safety products).
April 1, 2003... The Slide Rail System consists of steel panels that slide on universal post rails. This system is more cost effective than sheet piling for tank removal, small pits, and pipe installation in critical soil conditions. Contractors can install the...

Kundel trench boxes. (Equipment spotlight: trench shore & safety products).
April 1, 2003... The TUFFGUY Box Shorelite System from Kundel is designed on real world engineering. The result is a lightweight box that can perform a big box job. Assembly is fast and easy because there are fewer parts. Components can be lifted and assembled...

American shoring. (Equipment spotlight: trench shore & safety products).
April 1, 2003... The high-strength steel construction of American Shoring's trench shields is available in 4-, 6- or 8-inch wall thickness. Other wall thicknesses are available on request. The shields utilize 8-inch schedule 80 pinned in place steel pipe...

PRO-TEC equipment. (Equipment spotlight: trench shore & safety products).
April 1, 2003... Exceptional strength, versatility and selection are features of Lightweight Aluminum Vertical Shores from PRO-TEC Equipment, Charlotte, MI. The shores are manufactured of high-yield aluminum alloy that makes them light in weight yet extra...

Speed Shore Corporation. (Equipment spotlight: trench shore & safety products).
April 1, 2003... Trench Rescue Shoring from Speed Shore is the fastest, safest, most versatile means of rescuing victims trapped in excavation cave-ins. Trained rescue crews can now rely on the world's most preferred technology in excavation safety--Speed...

MBW Inc. (Equipment spotlight: compaction equipment).
April 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Soil Compaction Supervisor (SCS) is both a process management tool and quality control instrument for soil compaction. This seismic technology monitors growth in amplitude of pressure waves imparted by compaction...

Stone construction equipment. (Equipment spotlight: compaction equipment).
April 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Bulldog's Snap-Tek feature allows a manual unit to be converted to remote operation by simply plugging in the receiver. The system also acts as the operating system supporting the onboard diagnostics, electronic...

Allied construction products. (Equipment spotlight: compaction equipment).
April 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Allied's Model NT 8900 compactor focuses on narrow trench soil compaction. Appropriately sized to mount on loader backhoes, the Model NT 8900 produces the same compaction power as a 24-inch wide compactor, but does...

BTI. (Equipment spotlight: compaction equipment).
April 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Breaker Technology Inc. (BTI) introduces the new TC-ME Series of hydraulic compactors, specially suited for installation on mini-excavators, expanding and enhancing the wide range of compaction applications and...

Felco Industries. (Equipment spotlight: compaction equipment).
April 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 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...

BOMAG. (Equipment spotlight: compaction equipment).
April 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] BOMAG Light Equipment Division introduced a polygonal drum option for its BMP857 multi-purpose compactor. The polygonal drums combine the benefits of a flat-surface plate compactor with the abilities of a drumstyle...

Ingersoll-Rand. (Equipment spotlight: compaction equipment).
April 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] IEquipped with a patent-pending vibration system, the BXR Series offers smooth, reversible movement and high compaction performance to maximize productivity in sand, gravel and mixed soils. The reversing feature...

Tramac Corp. (Equipment spotlight: compaction equipment).
April 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 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...

Multiquip. (Equipment spotlight: compaction equipment).
April 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Mikasa's three lines of rammers from Multiquip are all oil-injected, four-cycle and diesel-powered to offer a total of 13 rammers. Multiquip's four-cycle gas-powered rammers are designed with lower exhaust emissions,...

Standards raise quality of utility locates.
April 1, 2003... Locating and accurately marking buried utilities is a fundamental step in preventing accidental utility hits during construction and maintenance work that requires excavation and other site-intrusive procedures. However, mismarked...

One-Call directory: dig safely.
April 1, 2003... One-Call Directory Dig Safely ALABAMA Alabama One-Call ALASKA Locate Call Center of Alaska ARIZONA Arizona Blue Stake ARKANSAS Arkansas One-Call System ...

Vacuum excavating: plays key role on Kern River project: the potholing work was part of a construction program for the 717-mile expansion of the Kern River Gas Transmission Company's interstate natural gas pipeline system. The pipeline begins in Wyoming, crosses Utah, passes through teh southeast corner of Nevada, and terminates in California west of Barstow.
April 1, 2003... There is no book of world potholing records, but if one is ever written, Redi Industrial Services Inc. is sure to be in it, likely in several categories. In one five-month period, the Wyoming contractor dug more then 4,000 potholes across...

FCC order suggests mixed bag for RBOCs.
April 1, 2003... It's okay to dream of the "fiberization" of the nation's telephone lines in the wake of the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) policy decisions in February. But don't start buying those new earthmovers yet. Some former Bell...

Laney directional drilling completes record setting drill.
April 1, 2003... A directional drill to install a portion of a natural gas pipeline from Bolivia to Brazil has resulted in a new-world record for Laney Directional Drilling Inc., Humble, TX. The record-setting drill came during a river crossing on the...

Missouri DOT favors pipe jacking.
April 1, 2003... Urbanization has led to an increase in storm water runoff in the city of Macon, MO. Several property owners within the city experienced problems with storm water runoff detained by an embankment of U.S. Highway 63, the main north/south route...

DCA concludes 42nd Annual Convention in Florida. (Convention Review).
April 1, 2003... Over 270 delegates celebrated at the Distribution Contractor Association's 42nd Annual Convention held at the Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa in Fort Myers, FL. Various committee and board meetings started on Wednesday, Feb. 26, and the meeting...

Disney hosts PCCA convention. (Convention Review).
April 1, 2003... Over 250 people attended the 2003 annual Power & Communication Contractors Association convention at Walt Disney World's Grand Floridian Hotel in Orlando, FL, on March 1-5. With the downturn in the telecommunications industry, the PCCA has...

Municipal Trenchless Workshop set for Seattle.
April 1, 2003... The UCT Seminar Series will bring its popular Municipal Trenchless Sewer & Water Workshop to the Seattle, WA, area on July 7-8. The event will be held at the Sheraton Seattle Hotel & Towers. This two-day program takes an in-depth look at...

Underground construction equipment gains large share of rental business. (Rental Focus).
April 1, 2003... Utility companies, public works agencies and the contractors who serve them are consistent customers of rental centers that carry construction equipment. Much of the equipment they rent is for underground work. Compact trenchers, larger...

Rental Service updates web site. (Rental Update).
April 1, 2003... Rental Service has unveiled, an updated web site at rentalservice.com. The design has been developed to be mote user-friendly for customers while also making it easy to communicate and navigate the company's three business markets: Prime...

HSS RentX offers towable drain jetter. (Rental Update).
April 1, 2003... For a fast, cost-effective solution for unclogging four- to 12-inch sewers and drains, HSS RentX now offers a powerful, trailer-mounted drain jetter for rent. The unit features a 2,500 psi pump and a 400-foot pressure hose that delivers 10...

Utility Equipment Leasing names regional managers. (Rental Update).
April 1, 2003... Buddy Hoffman has been promoted to the Northwest Regional Manager for Utility Equipment Leasing Corporation. His territory will include: Northern California, Oregon, Washington and Alaska. Hoffman's background complements the new role he...

Equipment theft. (Rental Update).
April 1, 2003... Equipment theft continues to be a major concern for rental companies. The Texas Rental Association (TRA) is funding a pilot program through the Tarrant County Auto Theft Task Force that will allow several task force officers to concentrate on...

New Volvo rental centers open in Georgia, California. (Rental Update).
April 1, 2003... Two new independently owned Volvo Rents equipment rental facilities have opened for business in Georgia and California. T. Gay Investments, LLC, franchise owner of a Volvo Rents center in Americus, GA, which opened in 2002, has opened a Volvo...

Updates to Sunbelt Rentals website. (Rental Update).
April 1, 2003... Visit the newest addition to the Sunbelt Rentals' website, the Interactive Online Catalog. Sunbelt Rentals' online catalog provides the same detailed information about its equipment and services as the printed version of the Sunbelt Rentals...

Veteran HDD executive joins Horizontal Rig & Equipment. (Business: general industry reports).
April 1, 2003... Denis C. Fox has joined Horizontal Rig b Equipment Inc. as vice president. His duties will include responsibility for world-wide sales and marketing. Fox's experience includes product planning and development, sales, marketing and management,...

CONTECH. (Business: general industry reports).
April 1, 2003... CONTECH Construction Products Inc. has purchased Culfabco Inc. of Anchorage, AK. The company will operate under the name Culfabco/CONTECH. Culfabco, founded in 1971, manufactures corrugated steel, aluminum, polymer-coated and welded seam...

Tri-Flo International. (Business: general industry reports).
April 1, 2003... Tri-Flo International Inc. and Recovery and Recycling Solutions (RRS) have partnered in a strategic alliance that enables RRS to function as the service representative for Tri-Flo in the refinery and petrochemical markets. Under the terms of...

Sacramento Suburban Water District. (Business: general industry reports).
April 1, 2003... The Sacramento Suburban Water District (SSWD) Board of Directors has appointed Robert Roscoe as general manager of the district. Roscoe has more than 25 years experience in public and private utility systems focusing on retail water service,...

Pentair Pump Group. (Business: general industry reports).
April 1, 2003... Richard Cathcart, president and chief operating officer of Pentair Water Technologies, announced the appointment of Scott R. Levin to the position of president of the Pentair Pump Group. He will be responsible for the Ashland, OH, operations of...

Multiquip. (Business: general industry reports).
April 1, 2003... Multiquip announces the return of Mike Ferguson as Director of Sales for the company's General Construction Equipment unit. Ferguson, who joined Multiquip in 1983 as a district sales manager covering Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama, spent 19...

Black & Veatch Pritchard. (Business: general industry reports).
April 1, 2003... Black & Veatch Pritchard Inc. (BVPI), the Process Division of Black & Veatch Corp., has appointed Joe Fossella as the new leader of its global business development efforts. Fossella will be responsible for all of BVPI's business development and...

AWWA. (Business: general industry reports).
April 1, 2003... The American Water Works Association (AWWA) has named Andrew Hudson as the senior public affairs manager. Hudson served as the press secretary to Denver Mayor Wellington E. Webb, a position he held since 1995. Prior to working for Mayor Webb,...

Vacuum Source offers smaller vaXcavator. (New products: the latest products).
April 1, 2003... Vacuum Source Inc. introduces a new, smaller vaXcavator unit, bringing their total number of models to 32. The new VT250D/G Vacuum Excavator includes a 500 cfm positive displacement vacuum blower with a 250 gallon collection tank. Powered...

Case. (New products: the latest products).
April 1, 2003... The Case M Series loader backhoes include five models--the 580M Turbo, 580 Super M, 580 Super M Wide Track ant the 590 Super M. These range in horsepower from 73 to 99 with loader capacities from 6,182 to 7,327 pounds. The M Series offers...

Reed Mfg. (New products: the latest products).
April 1, 2003... Reed's original One Hand Wrench now sports a "comfort grip" handle for better ergonomics. It features all-forged steel construction and a one-piece handle. Reed's Comfort Grip One Hand Wrenches and regular One Hand Wrenches have fittings...

Tyco Adhesives. (New products: the latest products).
April 1, 2003... Powercrete YGE from Tyco Adhesives Corrosion Protection Group is newly formulated 100 percent solids (NO VOC) epoxy coating that combines the optimum qualities of mechanical protection, superior adhesions and corrosion protection. Powercrete...

CAT Pumps. (New products: the latest products).
April 1, 2003... The new direct-drive Plunger pump is ideal for the portable cleaning industry. The materials and unique design of the 3SP Series pumps offer reliability and long life at a new low price. The 3SP30G1I gas model delivers 3.0 gpm at 3,000 psi...

New 1 1/2-inch Permasert mechanical coupling. (New products: the latest products).
April 1, 2003... Perfection Corporation introduces newest addition to its line of Permasert couplings with the 1 1/2-inch IPS size. This 1 1/2-inch coupling was designed in response to industry demand for a fitting of this pipe dimension and may be used in a...

Caterpillar. (New products: the latest products).
April 1, 2003... Caterpillar's D5N and D6N Track-Type Tractors are powered by the Cat 3126B HEUI engine. The D5N delivers 115 net horsepower. The D6N is rated at 145 net horsepower. The electronic transmission has an Autoshift feature that allows the operator...

Advanced Orientation Systems. (New products: the latest products).
April 1, 2003... EZ-COMPASS-PROBE, a three-axis magnetometer-compass with tilt and temperature compensation, is the newest addition to the extensive line of navigation and angle measurement devises produced by Advanced Orientation Systems, a New Jersey-based...

Pinpoint Laser Systems. (New products: the latest products).
April 1, 2003... The Microgage 2000 is the next generation laser alignment and measuring system from Pinpoint Laser Systems. The Microgage 2000 is a fully digital alignment system that provides 0.0001 inch precision over working distances of 80 feet. The system...

Vector Technologies. (New products: the latest products).
April 1, 2003... HDD Vacuum Excavators are versatile, powerful systems specifically configured for vacuuming of directional drilling fluids and for potholing activities. Vector Technologies introduces its series of HDD Vacuum Excavators that can be used by...

ARRIS TeleWire Supply. (New products: the latest products).
April 1, 2003... ARRIS TeleWire Supply introduces FlexPull, a new line of textile innerduct for cable installation in conduit. Marketed under the company's proprietary MONARCH brand, FlexPull helps maximize cable density in occupied or empty conduit. FlexPull...

Vulcan Utility Signs & Products. (New products: the latest products).
April 1, 2003... Vulcan Utility Signs & Products offer four smart marking options for the identification and protection of pipelines. The H-41 Bullet Marker provides 360 degree visibility for greater line identification. The marker's post and bullet top are...

Thompson Pump. (New products: the latest products).
April 1, 2003... Thompson Pump's fully modular, sound-attenuated, drop-on canopy, called the Silent Knight, handles bypass pumping, flood drainage, wellpoint operation, emergency pumping and other dewatering applications with ease. With the demand for sound...

Tri-Flo International. (New products: the latest products).
April 1, 2003... Tri-Flo has designed a Micro-Fluid System especially for the smaller rig packages. The system was designed to incorporate into pre-existing fluid tanks with multiple operating functions. The unit was sized three different ways for specific...

American construction supply. (New products: the latest products).
April 1, 2003... LastMat excavation mats are constructed using a one-piece steel design with welded seams. No splintering, cracking or rotting of timber hardwoods. LastMats are impervious to insect infestation and are more environmentally friendly than hardwood...

Calendar: important upcoming industry events.
April 1, 2003... 2003 April 14, Louisiana Pipeliners Association, Monthly Meeting, New Orleans, LA, Contact: Mark Roberts, PH: (337) 781-6377 April 22-23, UCT Seminar Series, Municipal Sewer & Water Trenchless Workshop, Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay, Tampa,...

Underground Solutions enters Chicago market. (News Update).
April 1, 2003... Underground Solutions Inc. has entered into a Duraliner Certified Contractor Agreement with George W. Kennedy Construction Co. Inc. for the Chicago Metropolitan Area which includes portions of Northern Illinois, Southeastern Wisconsin,...

Pioneer of single conductor CCTV retires. (News Update).
April 1, 2003... Richard (Dick) C. Vaughn, a pioneer design engineer and manufacturer of closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras systems, recently retired. Vaughn specialized in the design of long distance closed circuit television and perfected the...

Insituform creates COO position, wins contract. (News Update).
April 1, 2003... Insituform announced that, effective April 2003, it is naming Thomas S. Rooney, Jr. as president and chief operating officer (COO). reporting to Anthony W. Hooper. chairman and CEO. The president position is currently held by Hooper. The COO...

Pollution spending fell in 2002. (News Update).
April 1, 2003... The Environmental Protection Agency says environmental polluters spent 43.9 billion in fiscal 2002 on cleanups and new controls resulting from civil settlements. This is a 13 percent drop from 2001, but the 2002 total was more than double...

MaxLiner. (Lining Systems).
April 1, 2003... Maxliner provides the most portable, complete and effective system for small diameter pipe relining. The MaxLiner System is easy--easy to install, easy to afford and easy to learn from our qualified technical support and training personnel....

Linabond. (Lining Systems).
April 1, 2003... Linabond Inc. has worked with wastewater engineers and contractors for nearly two decades to protect and structurally rehabilitate underground structures utilizing the Linabond Co-Lining principle. The Co-Lining principle combines the...

American pipe & plastics. (Lining Systems).
April 1, 2003... AM-LINER[II] provides cost effective sewer rehabilitation without excavation. AM-LINER[II] is a strong, seamless, structural PVC lining system which, when installed, is tightly molded to the host pipe. It is available in 6- to 12-inch diameters...

Rib Loc Group Limited. (Lining Systems).
April 1, 2003... Rib Loc offers three structural lining systems which are used for renovation of gravity flow sanitary and stormwater sewers that range in diameter from 6 inches to 108 inches. The lining systems trade as Expanda Pipe, Ribsteel, and Rotaloc. The...

Novapipe. (Lining Systems).
April 1, 2003... The Novapipe cured-in-place (CIPP) line of products is an engineered nonwoven technology designed to correct defects and restore structural integrity of wastewater and conduit. The Novapipe CIPP tube is designed to meet or exceed the standards...

NeoPoxy. (Lining Systems).
April 1, 2003... NeoPoxy announces the release of an important new PureEpoxy rehabilitation tool for wet wells, manholes and any other corrosion/infiltration-stopping requirement. Successful service life with any polymer depends on components that are mixed in...

Applied Felts. (Lining Systems).
April 1, 2003... Applied Felts introduces a 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...

National EnviroTech Group. (Lining Systems).
April 1, 2003... National Liner from the National EnviroTech Group takes the guesswork out of cured-in-place pipeline repair. When you choose National Liner, you're getting more than a superior lining system, you're also getting the satisfaction that it will be...

U-Liner/rinker materials. (Lining Systems).
April 1, 2003... More than 11,000,000 feet of U-Liner is in service! U-Liner is a folded pipe product manufactured from high density polyethylene and is re-rounded from it's folded shape to create a new pipe within a pipe. The process requires no excavation and...

Trolining. (Lining Systems).
April 1, 2003... Trolining's fiber-optic cables can 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 downtown...