Underground Construction articles from June 2009

Underground Construction archives from June 2009

Polar opposite.(EDITOR'S LOG)
June 1, 2009... This issue contains the 2009 edition of Underground Construction's annual horizontal directional drilling survey. This industry-exclusive research always provides an insightful perspective as to the direction and health of this vibrant young...

Florida receives Recovery Act funds for wastewater infrastructure projects.(NEWSline: Latest Industry Developments)
June 1, 2009... In a move that stands to create jobs, boost local economies, improve aging water infrastructure and protect human health and the environment for the people in the state of Florida, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded...

Sewer line tunneling method saves city $50k.(NEWSline: Latest Industry Developments)
June 1, 2009... The city council in Willmar, MN, voted to approve a savings of $50,000 and reduce the risk of failure by letting a contractor use a different tunneling method at five locations along the interceptor sewer line, according to the...

Texas Water Development Board makes tough decisions.(NEWSline: Latest Industry Developments)
June 1, 2009... The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) is in the process of reviewing approximately 1,000 applications for the state's $340 million in economic stimulus funds for drinking water and sewer projects. The TWDB is focusing on shovel ready...

U.S. pipe demand expected to grow.(NEWSline: Latest Industry Developments)
June 1, 2009... Despite a weak current construction environment, pipe demand is expected to turn around and grow 2.0 percent annually to 11.1 billion feet in 2013. Stimulants include renewed activity in the construction sector, the growing obsolescence of...

SAWS project presented at GCTA meeting.(NEWSline: Latest Industry Developments)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Matthew Hinkson, EE., project engineer for San Antonio Water System's (SAWS) Construction Inspection was the guest speaker at the bi-monthly Gulf Coast Trenchless Association meeting held...

Appeals Court cancels 300 NLRB decisions.(NEWSline)
June 1, 2009... The status of some 300 decisions made last year by the Bush administration's labor relations board are in legal doubt, with two federal appeals courts issuing vastly different opinions about their validity on the same day. The U.S. Court...

Florida lawmakers secure state's energy future.(NEWSline)
June 1, 2009... Speaker-Designate Dean Cannon (R-Winter Park) has unveiled a proposal that would lift the state's current ban on oil and gas exploration and production in the state waters off Florida's coast--a move economists say could be worth at least $1.6...

Orange County water system wins national civil engineering award.(NEWSline)
June 1, 2009... For its creative, effective solution to water shortage challenges, the Orange County. CA, Groundwater Replenishment System (GWR) has been selected as the Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement for 2009 by the American Society of Civil...

National Energy Board has busiest year.(NEWSline)
June 1, 2009... The National Energy Board's (NEB) 2008 Annual Report has received more applications and presided over more public hearings in 2008 than any other year in NEB history. The NEB considered applications for new pipeline facilities, tolls and...

Free software, training helps infrastructure professions "Be Employable".(NEWSline)
June 1, 2009... Bentley Systems Inc. recently launched its Be Employable initiative to help in sustaining the infrastructure professions. The program is designed to help outplaced architectural, engineering, construction and geospatial professionals update and...

Questions arise on SRF stimulus funding.(WASHINGTON watch)
June 1, 2009... Questions are beginning to arise from states and localities about the requirements for spending the water infrastructure funds in the stimulus bill, called the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. Since Congress passed...

Michels Corp.: making history for 50 years.(Company overview)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Michels Corporation is celebrating its 50th year in business in 2009, marking its evolution from a small contractor specializing in gas pipeline construction to one of North America's largest, multi-division...

Sterling leaves legacy of advancement, cooperation for the TTC.(Changing Of The Guard At The Trenchless Technology Center)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dr. Ray Sterling, director of the Trenchless Technology Center (TTC) at Louisiana Tech University since 1995, has retired but will continue his association with the center as a part-time research professor. ...

Pipeline Opportunities Conference draws record crowd.(Conference notes)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The fifth annual Pipeline Opportunities Conference, sponsored by Pipeline & Gas Journal and the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA), was held March 11 in Houston. The single-day conference drew a...

PLCA Canada celebrates accomplishments, bright future: the Pipe Line Contractors Association of Canada recently held its 55th annual convention at the historic Fairmont Empress Hotel located along the scenic inner harbor of Victoria, BC, Canada. The convention welcomed 280 attendees who enjoyed informative business sessions, fun activities and entertaining evening events.
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Highlights included a traditional salmon barbeque and logging show, a M*A*S*H Bash themed around the movie and hit television show, and a gala featuring the PreTenors, with performances by celebrity impersonators of...

Organic "high-build" spray-in-place liners--an emerging class of rehabilitation methods.(Trenchless Technology Center Report)
June 1, 2009... As the water distribution infrastructure continues to deteriorate across North America, there is a continued need to develop pipeline rehabilitation methods that are cost effective and minimally disruptive, while also minimizing the time a pipe...

Pipe selection chart.
June 1, 2009... A-D Technologies (ARNCO) 860 Garden Street, Elyria, OH 44035, ph: 440-322-1000,12 fx: 440-322-1001, www.adtechnologies.com, email: moreinfo@Qadtechnologies.com Contact: Dave Moore A-D Technologies offers GeoGuard geothermal tubing...

UCT educational sessions, HDD workshop featured at ICUEE.
June 1, 2009... Keeping up to date with the latest technology and techniques to boost productivity is more important than ever in today's marketplace. ICUEE--the International Construction and Utility Equipment Exposition will be held October 6-8, at the...

2009 a bumpy road but strong future awaits HDD.(11th Annual HDD Survey)
June 1, 2009... That the United States (and world) economies are mired in a deep recession is old news. For the horizontal directional drilling industry, this recession is much broader than in 2001 when the telecommunications market imploded. Then, an...

Directional bore, stormwater treatment technologies solve problems at Florida lagoon.
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Many Floridians and other Americans may take for granted the lagoons that contribute to the nation's ecosystems. However, Florida's Indian River County has found a solution using directional boring and water...

Centralizers increase production rates, extend life of other tools: downhole tools are critical components of the horizontal directional drilling (HDD) process--no project can be completed without them. The wrong tools for soil conditions can result in excessive equipment wear and slow production --or even make it impossible to complete a job.(HDD Rigonomics: Best Practices)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Drilling heads and bits, backreamers, couplings, drill pipe and other downhole tools comprise a highly-competitive market with pros and cons of various products discussed and debated....

Frozen sand provides directional drilling challenge: contractor installs radiant heat system under cold storage facility.
June 1, 2009... What acts like solid rock, but really isn't rock and is located in the heart of the Midwest? That's a good question, and Tim Huttmann with TH Construction Company, based in Omaha, NE, knows the answer. Huttmann recently installed a radiant...

Maximizing the value, marketability of used rigs.(State Of The Used Rig Market In The Economic Downturn)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Along with most segments of the economy, the horizontal directional drilling (HDD). industry is seriously affected by a worldwide recession. Some underground utility projects have been halted, others delayed or...

2009 equipment selection guide.
June 1, 2009... AUGER BORING Company Model Type Drive Weight Boring (lbs) Diam. (in) American 24-100 ...

Miller Pipeline Corp.(BUSINESS: Latest Industry News)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Miller Pipeline Corporation, one of the nation's premier natural gas distribution and utility contractors and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vectren Corp., recently announced the addition of Dale Anderson as executive...

Hannay Reels.(BUSINESS: Latest Industry News)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Retiring after 39 years of service is Hannay Reels' Sales Manager Dave Guilzon. Guilzon spent most of his years with Hannay in the sales, serving more than 12 years as sales manager, helping with the innovation and...

GTI.(BUSINESS: Latest Industry News)
June 1, 2009... On March 19, Gas Technology Institute (GTI) held its Spring Meeting of the Board of Directors. At that event, the board approved a number of changes in GTI's board of directors and leadership team. Mary Jane McCartney, senior vice...

Case promotes careers in construction for Hispanic students.(BUSINESS: Latest Industry News)
June 1, 2009... Case Construction Equipment is sponsoring the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association's Scholarship Foundation. This non-profit organization provides financial support for high school seniors entering higher education and...

RIDGID.(BUSINESS: Latest Industry News)
June 1, 2009... In May, RIDGID kicked off its Reputation Roadshow. The events feature new RIDGID tools and technologies in 20 cities throughout the U.S., Canada and Latin America. Each show stop provides tradesmen a chance to experience the latest RIDGID...

Aecon Group.(BUSINESS: Latest Industry News)
June 1, 2009... Aecon Group Inc. announced that a joint venture in which its infrastructure division is participating has been awarded a project with Metro Vancouver for completion of the twin tunnels component of the Seymour Capilano Filtration Project. ...

Thermoset Resins/Interplastic.(BUSINESS: Latest Industry News)
June 1, 2009... Interplastic's Thermoset Resins Division, a Fort Wright, KY, manufacturing plant recently reached significant safety milestones. The plant employees completed nine consecutive years without a lost time accident, and one year without any...

AEM/Cooper Hong Inc.(BUSINESS: Latest Industry News)
June 1, 2009... Publications in Construction and Agriculture (PICA), a subgroup of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), has named Jane Cooper of Cooper Hong Inc., in St. Charles, IL, as its Public Relations Person of the Year. Senior editors...

Volvo CE.(BUSINESS: Latest Industry News)
June 1, 2009... Six engineers behind the technology used in the L220F Hybrid wheel loader have received the Volvo 2009 Technology Award. The prize was presented for the team's development of the world's first commercially viable hybrid solution for heavy...

BHC RHODES.(BUSINESS: Latest Industry News)
June 1, 2009... Alan Michels, P.E., joined BHC RHODES Development Services team with 16 years of experience in civil engineering, construction management and business management. He will serve as a project manager on the BHC RHODES' team and will have an...

Moving Water Industries.(BUSINESS: Latest Industry News)
June 1, 2009... Moving Water Industries (MWI) has won a competitive request for proposal and signed a second major contract with the South Florida Water Management District. MWI will supply pumps by December 2010 for the district's Everglades Restoration...

Envista Corp.(BUSINESS: Latest Industry News)
June 1, 2009... Colorado Springs and Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) has selected Envista technology for their infrastructure project manager. Envista Corporation is provider of web-based software for infrastructure project coordination. Colorado Springs is...

Doosan Infracore America.(BUSINESS: Latest Industry News)
June 1, 2009... Doosan Infracore America is expanding in California with Bobcat Central as its newest dealer. With locations in Stockton, Merced and Fresno, CA, Bobcat Central will offer the full line of Doosan excavators and wheel loaders to the central...

PEX receives 1st NSF certification for PVCO pipe.(BUSINESS: Latest Industry News)
June 1, 2009... NSF International announced that IPEX Inc., a leader in thermoplastic piping systems, is the first molecularly oriented polyvinyl chloride (PVCO) pressure pipe manufacturer to receive certification to ASTM F1483 and AWWA C909 standards for...

Trenching tool blocks provide greater durability, functionality.(NEW products: Latest Product Developments)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Kennametal Inc. has introduced new trenching and surface mining tool blocks, designated MTB1 and MTB2S MyT Blocks. These blocks, in long- and short-body styles, are an improvement over the company's TH3 line; they...

Super Products.(NEW products: Latest Product Developments)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Super Products has released a DVD that highlights its Camel sewer and catch basin cleaners. Many of the available features shown on the DVD are unique to Camel including its ejector-plate unloading technology,...

Ditch Witch.(NEW products: Latest Product Developments)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The new Thread Head beacon housing was created with the punishing downhole conditions of HDD in mind. Beacons, used to monitor the progress of the bore (via signals transmitted to an electronic guidance tool), are...

Thompson pump.(NEW products: Latest Product Developments)
June 1, 2009... Thompson's PW Series Piston Wellpoint pumps are efficient self-priming positive displacement pumps. Extremely cost effective- operating more than one week without refueling and consuming up to only five gallons of fuel per day, these units are...

New Cat excavators combine compact working envelope with power.(NEW products: Latest Product Developments)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The new Cat 314D CR and 314D LCR (long undercarriage) hydraulic excavators are compact-radius models that build on the C-Series with a new fuel-efficient Cat C4.2 ACERT engine, more hydraulic power, expanded...

Kubota.(NEW products)
June 1, 2009... The KX121-3 Super Series compact excavator with optional 6-in-1 hydraulic blade offers extended tilt functions, allowing the blade to be angled 25 degrees and tilted 10 degrees for greater efficiency when leveling and backfilling. The KX121-3...

egeplast/Werner Strumann GmbH.(NEW products)
June 1, 2009... With the new SL 1000 Manhole System, egeplast provides a monolithic wastewater manhole made from PE material. The new product is coordinated with the egeplast SL sewer system for non-pressurized wastewater disposal. This fully welded wastewater...

AGL.(NEW products)
June 1, 2009... The EZ Dig Pro is a real-time depth control system for excavators and backhoes. The one-person system provides precise grade control for digging a fixed depth or a slope, without the expense of a person in the excavation to check depth. Sensors...

Pipe cutting system cuts days out of infrastructure work.(NEW products)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Easy Cut LLC implemented its Easy Cut pipe cutting system on an infrastructure jobsite adjacent to the 1-20 interstate project in Augusta, GA. Site prep contractor Team Excavating has been working on the project...

Heath consultants.(NEW products)
June 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The V!SA Confined Space Monitor requires minimal training with one-button operation. The button is large enough to easily be used by a gloved hand and the lightweight (only 400 grams with 4 gases and pump) ergonomic...

Vanguard ADA Systems.(NEW products)
June 1, 2009... Vanguard ADA Systems introduces a larger, 17-inch DisposaCone made out of renewable resources that provides a weather resistant, portable and temporary barricade. DisposaCone's adhesive base allows them to stick to almost any surface and a...

Calendar of events.
June 1, 2009... 2009 June 19-21 American Gas Association Operations Conference & Biennial Exhibition 2009 Pittsburgh, PA PH: (212) 824-7334 June 19-21 54th Appalachian Underground Corrosion Short Course West...