Underground Construction articles from April 2006

Underground Construction archives from April 2006

The money angle for safety.(Editor's Log)
April 1, 2006... In the underground construction and rehabilitation market, insurance costs have always been a significant cost of doing business, not only for the contractors, but for owners and related stake holders as well. And we all know how insurance has...

Two construction unions leave AFL-CIO.(NEWSLINE: The Latest Industry Developments)
April 1, 2006... The Laborers' International Union and the International Union of Operating Engineers--two of the largest basic trades unions in the U.S., with 1.1 million members--announced that they were leaving the AFL-CIO's Building Trades Department in...

Study says Verizon is focusing on fiber-to-the-business deployment.(NEWSLINE: The Latest Industry Developments)
April 1, 2006... According to a joint report recently released by BIA Financial Network and Telecom Pragmatics, Verizon's access strategy is not based on delivering fiber to residential customers, but rather it is centered on the deployment of high-speed...

TransCanada files for North Baja Pipeline expansion.(NEWSLINE: The Latest Industry Developments)
April 1, 2006... TransCanada Corporation's subsidiary, North Baja Pipeline LLC, has filed an application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for a certificate for a two-phase expansion of its existing natural gas pipeline in southern California and...

Dates announced for ICUEE 2007: UCT will again develop underground educational program.(NEWSLINE: The Latest Industry Developments)
April 1, 2006... The next International Construction and Utility Equipment Exposition (ICUEE) will be held Oct. 16-18, 2007, at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center in Louisville, KY. ICUEE is known as "The Demo Expo" for its extensive product demonstrations...

Ritchie Bros. hold two record auctions.(NEWSLINE: The Latest Industry Developments)
April 1, 2006... Ritchie Bros. started off the year with record-setting auctions in Arizona and Florida. The auction in Phoenix was the company's first unreserved auction of the year. Held Feb. 16, gross auction sales topped more than $24 million. This auction...

Exports of construction equipment increase 35% in 2005.(NEWSLINE: The Latest Industry Developments)
April 1, 2006... U.S. construction equipment exports for 2005 increased 35 percent over the previous year as $12 billion worth of American-made machinery was shipped to countries across the globe, according to data released by the Association of Equipment...

National Infrastructure Improvement Act introduced.(NEWSLINE: The Latest Industry Developments)
April 1, 2006... With bipartisan sponsorship, legislation was introduced March 8 in the U.S. Senate to address the deteriorating conditions of the nation's drinking water systems, roads, bridges and other public works by establishing a National Commission on...

Large diameter pipe demand grows in China.(NEWSLINE: The Latest Industry Developments)
April 1, 2006... Demand in length for large diameter pipe in China will grow 8.8 percent annually through 2009 based on continued rapid economic growth and public infrastructure expansion. Drainage, potable water distribution and sewer applications will lead...

In memorial.
April 1, 2006... Hugh W. O'Donnell, 68, passed away on Feb. 26 in Ft. Bend County, TX. He is preceded in death by his parents. Lawrence and Annette (Toups) O'Donnell, and his brother, Herman Stansbury. A recognized expert in the field of using horizontal...

Water Groups Oppose Cuts To Clean Water Construction Fund.(Washington watch)
April 1, 2006... Water infrastructure groups turned out in strength on March 2 to watch EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson's appearance before a House appropriations subcommittee. Johnson explained President Bush's proposed 2007 budget, including its cut in...

Gas exploration research eliminated from DOE budget.(Washington watch)
April 1, 2006... In percentage terms, President Bush's proposed budget is even tougher on natural gas research in the Department of Energy than the CWSRF overseen by the EPA. Natural gas research, funded at a level of $32.6 million in 2006, would be done away...

Offshore gas drilling expansion a major congressional issue.(Washington watch)
April 1, 2006... Key Republicans and Democrats in the Senate hope to quickly obtain passage of a bill (S. 2253) which would open significant new natural gas drilling areas in a section of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) in the Gulf of Mexico commonly referred...

PHMSA wants to boost MAOP.(Washington watch)
April 1, 2006... The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) held a public meeting on March 26 to discuss raising the maximum allowable operating pressure (MAOP) on natural gas transmission pipelines. Three categories of pipelines could...

Quik-Shor.(Equipment Spotlight: TRENCH SHORING & SAFETY PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2006... Quik-Shor's Trench Plate Rental Co. (TPR), now in its 25th year, provides a myriad of equipment for contractors in a major portion of the western United States. The company also provides, "Competent Person Training and Trench Rescue Training"...

Efficiency Production.(Equipment Spotlight: TRENCH SHORING & SAFETY PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2006... Efficiency Production Inc.--America's Trench Box Builder--provides the widest selection of standard and custom trench shielding and shoring systems. Efficiency's trench shields are made of steel or aluminum, from 4- to 10-inch wall thickness...

PRO-TEC Equipment.(Equipment Spotlight: TRENCH SHORING & SAFETY PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2006... PRO-TEC offers steel and aluminum trench shields, aluminum hydraulic shoring and a unique slide rail shoring system. The ProSeries steel line includes 4-, 6- and 8-inch thick sidewall models. The PalSeries Lightweight steel shields include...

Safe-T-Shore.(Equipment Spotlight: TRENCH SHORING & SAFETY PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2006... S3D and S3D three-inch steel shields are perfect for municipal maintenance and repair work since they can be handled by smaller equipment. These shields offer comparable shield capacity with a lower initial cost and less maintenance than...

Ultra Shore products.(Equipment Spotlight: TRENCH SHORING & SAFETY PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2006... UltraShore panels are made of a specially corrugated aluminum that gives protection in trenches up to 12 feet deep, even in Class "C" soils. All panels can be used horizontally of vertically and are stackable. Use UltraShore as parallel shield...

Allied Construction products.(Equipment Spotlight: TRENCH SHORING & SAFETY PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2006... Using Allied's 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 above the trench. Folded units stack easily of will fit into...

Speed Shore Corporation.(Equipment Spotlight: TRENCH SHORING & SAFETY PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2006... 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...

Mabey Bridge & Shore.(Equipment Spotlight: TRENCH SHORING & SAFETY PRODUCTS)
April 1, 2006... Mabey's heavy-duty trench boxes can be equipped with a high-arch spreader, allowing easy access for large pipelaying, boring and jacking, etc. or tubular static struts. Both traditional and "static" tubular-strut box are available. Dimensions...

Caterpillar.(Equipment Spotlight: COMPACTION EQUIPMENT)
April 1, 2006... The 825H soil compactor, designed to meet aggressive Tier 3 emissions regulations provides high productivity, long life and low operating costs. The H-Series model incorporates a new engine, improved cooling system technologies and other...

Felco Industries.(Equipment Spotlight: COMPACTION EQUIPMENT)
April 1, 2006... Felco Roller Compaction Buckets combine the compaction performance of a tamping pad roller design and a sealed journal bearing all within a regular duty mini-excavator sized bucket. This allows an operator to place backfill in the exact amount...

Multiquip.(Equipment Spotlight: COMPACTION EQUIPMENT)
April 1, 2006... Multiquip's new Rammax trench roller gives operators complete control. right at their fingertips. The new P33/24FCR utilizes not only the proven uni-body design and impact forces characterizing Rammax rollers but also a convenient hand-held...

BOMAG.(Equipment Spotlight: COMPACTION EQUIPMENT)
April 1, 2006... BOMAG's BW177-3 Series single-drum vibratory rollers are designed for medium-sized compaction applications on granular and cohesive soils. The rollers consist of three models ranging from 15,939 to 16,623 pounds operating weight with smooth or...

Ingersoll Rand.(Equipment Spotlight: COMPACTION EQUIPMENT)
April 1, 2006... The SD-25D is a 2.6-ton soil compactor that can easily get in and out of four-foot trenches, and with the patented clamp-on padfoot shell kit, its versatility makes it great for compacting various materials. The SD-25D is a smooth drum model...

Stone Construction Equipment.(Equipment Spotlight: COMPACTION EQUIPMENT)
April 1, 2006... The Rhino 66X Vibratory Dirt Roller is a 66-inch, 10-ton ride-on roller that is powered by a 110 horsepower Cummins water-cooled diesel engine and heavy-duty Sauer-Danfoss hydraulic components. The machine also features dual amplitude with a...

Allied Construction Products.(Equipment Spotlight: COMPACTION EQUIPMENT)
April 1, 2006... Allied's continuous product improvement has now made a highly successful product-the Ho-Pac-even better with the Model 500, Model 1000, Model 1600 and Model 2300. The all-new extreme Ho-Pacs now deliver more impact energy, multiple bolt-on base...

American Compaction Equipment.(Equipment Spotlight: COMPACTION EQUIPMENT)
April 1, 2006... American Compaction Equipment now offers rock guards on all 20 base models of excavator compaction wheels. This new feature gives added protection against rocky soil conditions and improves the performance. Diamond Compaction Wheels are...

Atlas Copco.(Equipment Spotlight: COMPACTION EQUIPMENT)
April 1, 2006... The HC 409 and HC 920 hydraulic compactor attachments feature FAG bearings, a Permco motor and Lord shock mounts. Accepting a maximum hydraulic flow of 20 gpm at 2,200 psi of pressure and weighing 900 pounds, the HC 409 delivers an 8,000 pound...

OSHA continues excavation safety enforecement, education.
April 1, 2006... Protecting personnel working in open excavations remains one of the most serious issues of construction safety and is of primary importance to organizations engaged in underground utility construction. Obviously, the most common risk is...

$afety as a profit center.
April 1, 2006... Ensuring that construction sites are safe is a goal everyone endorses. No one--from management to jobsite worker--wants any person to be hurt or suffer a fatal injury. Even when personal injuries are avoided, everyone recognizes accidents...

The true cost of accidents.
April 1, 2006... Construction accidents are costly, both in terms of human tragedy and money, and should be avoided--everyone knows that. But unless an organization seriously evaluates the true costs of accidents, they likely do not realize how costly they...

Safety in confined spaces.
April 1, 2006... Workers involved in underground utility construction and maintenance often must do their jobs in confined spaces where they are exposed to numerous hazards such as lack of sufficient oxygen, exposure to toxic vapors, temperature extremes and...

Massive Slide rail system keeps POMA project on track.
April 1, 2006... The $64 million Point of the Mountain Aqueduct (POMA) project currently under construction will help meet the increasing demands for water in Utah's Salt Lake Valley. To install the 60-inch-diameter pipe that will carry as much as 77...

Dig safely.
April 1, 2006... Call Before You Dig ALABAMA Alabama One Call 800-292-8525 205-252-4444 al1call.com ALASKA Alaska Digline 800-478-3121 907-278-3121 akonecall.com ARIZONA Arizona Blue Stake ...

Diverting a river with trench boxes.
April 1, 2006... The swift currents of the Weber River in Riverdale, UT, are perfect for fishing. Both trout and whitefish are active and plentiful in the quick currents. The river is a sportsman's paradise, but a real headache for the Central Weber (Utah)...

RIDGID SeekTech transmitter & utility locator provide portability, accuracy.(First Look)
April 1, 2006... The new RIDGID SeekTech ST-305 transmitter from Ridge Tool Company is lightweight, compact and powerful for users needing additional portability while locating utility lines. The RIDGID SeekTech ST-305 is designed to be used with the RIDGID...

DCA's 45th Annual Convention travels to Maui.(CONVENTION)
April 1, 2006... The Sheraton Maui Resort was the site of the Distribution Contractors Association's 45th Annual Convention in February. Approximately 300 delegates attended what many regarded as one of the best DCA conventions ever. The annual auction set a...

PLCA ratifies new 5-year labor agreements.(PLCA)
April 1, 2006... Labor agreements again dominated discussion at the Pipe Line Contractor Association's 58th Annual Convention in February in Carlsbad, CA. Last year the PLCA faced the unique situation of having all four labor agreements expire on the same day,...

Ditch witch enters pipebursting market.(First Look)
April 1, 2006... Ditch Witch has entered the pipebursting market with three new compact pipebursting systems. "The equipment is designed to fracture or cut existing pipes of 2 to 16 inches outside diameter, pulling in new replacement pipe during the...

NASSCO celebrates 30th anniversary.(REHABILITATION TECHNOLOGY)
April 1, 2006... Continuing to build upon its accomplishments while remembering its founders was the focus of the annual National Association Of Sewer Service Companies' (NASSCO) annual convention held at Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa, Ft. Myers, FL, Feb. 28 to...

U-Liner.(FOLD & FORM)
April 1, 2006... U-Liner has more than 13,000,000 feet of folded pipe liner in service. The product is manufactured from high-density polyethylene and is re-rounded from its folded shape to create a new pipe within a pipe. The process requires no excavation and...

Ultraliner.(FOLD & FORM)
April 1, 2006... 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...

American Pipe & Plastics.(FOLD & FORM)
April 1, 2006... AM-LINER[II] provides cost effective sewer rehabilitation without excavation. AM-LINER[II] is a strong, seamless, structural PVC liningsystem which, when installed, is tightly molded to the host pipe. It is available in 6- to 12-inch diameters...

Applied Felts.(CIPP)
April 1, 2006... Applied Felts has lined more than 35 million linear feet of pipe using the cured-in-place (CIPP) pipeline rehabilitation process. Applied Felts controls the entire process within its facility from a fully integrated, in-house, end-to-end custom...

Perma-Liner Industries.(CIPP)
April 1, 2006... The Perma-Lateral Lining System/Cured-In-Place Pipe (CIPP) lateral lining system has been given general approval by the city of Los Angeles. The system has been approved for the rehabilitation of existing DWV pipe lines (clay, cast iron, PVC)...

Masterliner.(CIPP)
April 1, 2006... Masterliner is a worldwide supplier of trenchless pipe rehabilitation products that manufactures both dry felt liners and resin impregnated tubes for a full range of pipe sizes and custom pipe diameters. Masterliner offers four methods of...

Miller Pipeline.(CIPP)
April 1, 2006... EX Method Expanded-in-Place Pipe is a cost effective technology designed to reconstruct sewer and drain lines with high-strength PVC pipe. Installed fast, it provides durability and corrosion protection. The result is a new, jointless pipe...

National Liner.(CIPP)
April 1, 2006... National EnviroTech Group, through its network of experienced utility contractors, provides National Liner cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) product and services to municipal and industrial customers to rehabilitate deteriorated pipes. National Liner...

Novapipe.(CIPP)
April 1, 2006... The Novapipe cured-in-place (CIPP) line of products is an engineered non-woven 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...

CIPP Corporation.(CIPP)
April 1, 2006... CIPP Corporation is comprised of a team of professional sewer rehabilitation contractors who install cured-in-place pipe for the renewing of collection system piping. These teams have unequaled experience in all phases of collection system...

Inliner Technologies.(CIPP)
April 1, 2006... Inliner Technologies is a licensor of cured-in-place-pipeline (CIPP) renewal systems. Covering applications in gravity piping (sanitary sewer, storm sewer, process sewers, etc.) and pressure piping (sanitary force mains, pressure sewer mains,...

MaxLiner.(CIPP)
April 1, 2006... MaxLiner is the easiest, most comprehensive lateral relining system around. RS Technik, a European organization that has specialized in practical solutions for the plumbing industry for more than a quarter of a century, recognized the need for...

Starline Trenchless Technology.(CIPP)
April 1, 2006... With the Starline technology, a seamless circular-woven fabric hose made of polyester fabric with a plastic coating is inserted into the pipe to be lined by the inversion process, and is uniformly glued to the interior wall of the pipe with a...

AMerik Supplies.(CIPP)
April 1, 2006... Saertex-Liner is a 100 percent fiberglass liner designed for gravity pipe systems. The sizes range from 6 to 36 inches with wall thickness from 4.5 to 12 mm. The liner is factory impregnated and manufactured under ISO 9001 quality control with...

Insituform Technologies.(CIPP)
April 1, 2006... 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,...

Linabond.(CIPP)
April 1, 2006... Linabond 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 CoLining principle combines the impermeability...

Reline America.(CIPP)
April 1, 2006... Reline America introduces the Bluetec Lining System--a CIPP, UV-light curing method for trenchless rehabilitation of sewers. Reline America manufactures portable to truck-mounted installation equipment to meet specific installation needs. All...

Premier-Pipe USA.(CIPP)
April 1, 2006... Premier-Pipe is a rehabilitation system specializing in manhole-to-manhole relining and also utilizes lateral, sectional and pressure pipe lining processes to compliment Premier's manhole-to-manhole process. Quality installers are trained in...

LMK Enterprises.(CIPP)
April 1, 2006... Performance Liner repairs sewer pipes from 6-inch to 42 inch diameter in continuous lengths up to 50 feet. The liner is contained within its own carrying device so the resin that provides a structural seal is not wiped off during the...

Sekisui SPR Americas.(GROUT-IN-PLACE PIPE)
April 1, 2006... Sekisui SPR Americas specializes in innovative solutions for infrastructure renewal. Our core technology is the SPR spiral wound PVC pipeline renewal process for large diameter applications (36 inches up to 12 feet by 15 feet and larger). Ideal...

Trolining.(GROUT-IN-PLACE PIPE)
April 1, 2006... 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...

Danby of North America.(GROUT-IN-PLACE PIPE)
April 1, 2006... Danby can now provide you with another option for your entire 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...

McLaughlin Group.(Business: THE LATEST INDUSTRY NEWS)
April 1, 2006... McLaughlin Group recently announced two promotions within the organization. Rob Maybury who came to McLaughlin with more than 13 years experience in industrial related vacuum sales and engineering was appointed engineering manager. In his prior...

Modern Machinery.(Business: THE LATEST INDUSTRY NEWS)
April 1, 2006... Modern Machinery, the Komatsu distributor, has expanded its offices in Missoula, MT. An office building was recently opened in the company headquarters at 101 International Way, adding 15,000-square-feet to the complex that includes a...

"XTreme" winner at Charles machine works.(Business: THE LATEST INDUSTRY NEWS)
April 1, 2006... Becky Gaydos of Aransas Pass, TX, took possession of a brand new Ditch Witch XT850 Excavator Tool Carrier on Feb. 15 from the local dealer, Valley Ditch Witch, located in Corpus Christi, TX. Cliff and Rhonda Coffin delivered the machine. ...

Thompson Pump primed for success with new top management.(Business: THE LATEST INDUSTRY NEWS)
April 1, 2006... Thompson Pump & Manufacturing Co. announces three management promotions for 2006. Doug French takes over as vice president, Business Development and Asset Management, while Chris Thompson, son of company president, Bill Thompson, takes the...

North American Green.(Business: THE LATEST INDUSTRY NEWS)
April 1, 2006... North American Green has expanded its Erosion Solutions Specialist certification training program to include more technical information and engineering principles for controlling soil erosion as new products and technologies emerge. The...

SEA Consultants.(Business: THE LATEST INDUSTRY NEWS)
April 1, 2006... Anthony Zuena has been appointed the new president and chief executive officer of SEA Consultants, Cambridge, MA. He takes over for Fred Aufiero, who held the post since 1995, and who continues on as chairman. Zuena began working at SEA in...

John Deere.(Business: THE LATEST INDUSTRY NEWS)
April 1, 2006... The John Deere Power Systems PowerTech Plus 13.5L engine has been Tier 3 certified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The 13.5L engine is the fourth model in the John Deere line to receive Tier 3 certification, joining the PowerTech...

Covalence Specialty Materials.(Business: THE LATEST INDUSTRY NEWS)
April 1, 2006... Covalence Specialty Materials Corp., a business with $1.7 billion in revenues, formerly the Plastics and Adhesives operation of Tyco International, has joined the ranks of the nation's independent, private companies. The occasion was...

Correction.(Correction notice)
April 1, 2006... In the February 2006 issue of Underground Construction, the website listed for ARNCO Corp. was listed incorrectly. The company's new website is www.arncocorp.com.

Godwin Pumps opens second NJ rental location.(Business: THE LATEST INDUSTRY NEWS)
April 1, 2006... Bridgeport, NJ-based Godwin Pumps, worldwide manufacturer of portable contractors pumps, recently opened a rental facility at 6 Connerty Court in East Brunswick, N.J. "We've built a good customer base in this region over the years," said...

VACMASTERS.(New Products: THE LATEST PRODUCT DEVELOPMENTS)
April 1, 2006... The VACMASTERS SYSTEM 1000 Air-Vacuum Excavation System offers utility contractors, environmental consultants and drilling contractors low cost, small size and high performance in an air-vacuum excavation system. The SYSTEM 1000 enables...

Kenco.(New Products: THE LATEST PRODUCT DEVELOPMENTS)
April 1, 2006... The Self-Leveling PH3500 Pipe Hook from Kenco is ideal for all sizes and types of pipe. Designed for trench boxes and confined spaces, the unique field-proven design allows for lifting a wide range of pipe sizes and 3,500 pound capacity allows...

Yanmar America.(New Products: THE LATEST PRODUCT DEVELOPMENTS)
April 1, 2006... Yanmar YDG model generators deliver non-fluctuating portable diesel power in 2700, 3700 or 5500 watt ratings. A single tank full of diesel will keep these direct injected air-cooled diesel gensets on the go from six to 15 hours depending on...

Astec Underground.(New Products: THE LATEST PRODUCT DEVELOPMENTS)
April 1, 2006... The Clay Whip Reamer is an innovative, patented design for use exclusively in heavy clay soils. This design of the cutters and mixing wings prevents clay balling down in the hole and the reamer spins relative to the clay cuttings to effectively...

Mustang Mfg.(New Products: THE LATEST PRODUCT DEVELOPMENTS)
April 1, 2006... Models 2044 and 2054 skid-steer loaders have received various enhancements designed to improve operator comfort and visibility. A re-engineered ROPS/FOPS enclosure on the two models is the most visible change to these new skid-steers. The 2044...

Vermeer Mfg.(New Products: THE LATEST PRODUCT DEVELOPMENTS)
April 1, 2006... The Vermeer CX254 weighs in at 11,023 pounds and measures 6.1-feet wide, and features 19 feet of reach from the ground, a digging depth of 11.8 feet and bucket breakout force of 7,716 pounds. The CX234 is powered by a 52 horsepower Kubota...

George Fischer Sloane.(New Products: THE LATEST PRODUCT DEVELOPMENTS)
April 1, 2006... Schedule 80 PVC and CPVC Piping Systems now include molded caps in 10 and 12-inch sizes, providing a comprehensive size range flora 1/4 to 16-inch. Available in a variety of sizes, geometries and end connections, the expanded Schedule 80...

Charles Machine Works/Subsite Electronics.(New Products: THE LATEST PRODUCT DEVELOPMENTS)
April 1, 2006... The new Subsite 2150GR ground-penetrating radar unit is designed to detect both metallic and non-metallic pipes and cables to depths of up to 19 feet, depending on soil conditions and antenna selection. The 2150GR features 5.5 mph survey speed...

Characteristics of Hobas pipe prove perfect fit for King County.(New Products: THE LATEST PRODUCT DEVELOPMENTS)
April 1, 2006... Located on the Puget Sound, King County, WA, is home to many things including an extensive wastewater treatment division that serves 18 cities, 16 local sewer agencies and more than 1.4 million residents. Typically, the public rarely...