Public Works articles from April 2003

Public Works archives from April 2003

Protecting information. (Editorial Viewpoint).
April 1, 2003... The Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA, www.amwa.net) has published a guide, "State Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Laws: A Guide to Protecting Sensitive Water Security Information," to assist utilities assess the relevance of...

Securing the nation's water supply. (Editorial Viewpoint).
April 1, 2003... The American Water Works Association (www.awwa.org) recently issued a release on water utilities' efforts to meet federal security deadlines. Jack Hoffbuhr, the association's executive director, commented, "Water utilities throughout the nation...

More water news. (Editorial Viewpoint).
April 1, 2003... As reported in the January-March 2003 issue of Common Ground, the newsletter of the Conservation Fund (www.conservationfund.org), "the U.S. ranked lowest among 147 countries for its inefficient water usage but 32nd overall on the first World...

Crisis management. (Editorial Viewpoint).
April 1, 2003... When accidents happen--a broken water main, a toppled crane--emergency personnel; residents; families of workers involved; employees; local, state, and federal officials; the media, and many other stakeholders need immediate information about...

Congress has approved a fiscal 2003 omnibus appropriations bill that allocated $31.6 billion in highway spending and $7.2 billion for transit programs. (Washington Report).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Highway spending got $4 billion over the guaranteed spending level of $27.6 billion set in TEA-21, while transit programs received a small cut from the level set in the 1998 law. The spending levels will become the baselines for the next...

The National Association of Counties (NACo) and ten other associations have agreed on policy recommendations for the TEA-21 reauthorization. (Washington Report).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The coalition--Local Officials for Transportation (LOT)--was created to give local officials a common voice on transportation issues, particularly the TEA-21 reauthorization. Glen Whitely, a Tarrant County, Texas, commissioner and chairman of...

The National League of Cities (NLC) expressed disappointment that Congress approved only a fraction of the $3.5 billion in funding proposed for first responders. (Washington Report).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... John DeStefano, Jr., NLC president and mayor of New Haven, Connecticut, said the funds would have helped local governments pay for antiterrorism planning, equipment, and response training. He said, "The long-overdue support for local first...

The House Transportation Committee has passed the Wastewater Treatment Works Security Act (H.R. 866), which authorizes $220 million to improve security at wastewater plants. (Washington Report).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The bill, by Reps. Young and Jim Oberstar (D-Minn.), would allow the EPA to allocate $200 million in grants, $15 million for technical assistance to small wastewater plants, and $5 million to improve wastewater vulnerability self-assessment...

The congressional General Accounting Office said EPA should help states improve their water quality standards or state Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) programs may focus on the wrong waters or the wrong pollutant sources. (Washington Report).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... John Duncan Jr., chairman of the House Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee, requested the report. The paper noted that states are struggling to implement the TMDL program. Under it, waters not meeting standards are listed as...

Separately, the water resources subcommittee has recommended higher levels of investment in the nation's water resources infrastructure. (Washington Report).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Representatives of EPA and other water related agencies testified at a subcommittee hearing about their budget requests. Rep. Duncan said, "The nation's wastewater systems will face major challenges to fund the replacement of aging...

The District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld EPA's rule setting limits on the permissible level of radionuclides in drinking water. (Washington Report).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The regulation retained the existing standards for the radionuclides radium-226, radium-228, and certain beta/photon emitters, and established standards for uranium for the first time. The court rejected all arguments raised by the...

The U.S. consumer product safety commission plans hearings on a petition that it ban the use of chromated copper arsenate (CCA) pressure-treated wood in playground equipment. (Washington Report).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The CPSC staff has recommended that the commissioners defer action on the petition, pending completion of the agreement between CCA manufacturers and EPA to phase out CCA treatment of wood for most consumer uses by the end of 2003. EPA is...

AASHTO has urged Congress to ensure uninterrupted Amtrak service for at least two years while a "workable framework" is developed for intercity passenger-rail service. (Washington Report).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... AASHTO said Congress should provide the funding for fiscal years 2004 and 2005 to continue current Amtrak services and allow critical maintenance. It proposed a moratorium on increases in state payments to Amtrak for at least two years or until...

City renews contract for wastewater services. (Engineering Notes).
April 1, 2003... Oklahoma City has renewed a wastewater services partnership with USFilter Operating Services, Inc. (Houston, Texas) that has saved the city more than $150 million over the past 18 years. The Oklahoma City Board of Trustees and the Water...

Ground is broken for reservoir replacement project. (Engineering Notes).
April 1, 2003... C. E. Wylie Construction Company (San Diego, California) has begun construction on the $25-million Earl Thomas Reservoir Replacement project for the city of San Diego. The project will replace the existing Earl Thomas Reservoir at the Alvarado...

Fort Leonard Wood to receive new entrance road. (Engineering Notes).
April 1, 2003... The Kansas City District of the Army Corps of Engineers has awarded a contract to the joint venture of HDR Engineering Inc. (Omaha, Nebraska) and Bloomsdale Excavating Company, Inc. (Bloomsdale, Missouri) to provide design-build construction...

Consultant receives award for sewer master plan. (Engineering Notes).
April 1, 2003... The Arizona Department of Commerce has awarded the Excellence in Rural Development Award to Berryman & Henigar (San Diego, California) for the firm's design of the Fort Mojave Sewer Master Plan. Berryman & Henigar took first place in the...

Conservation agency battles erosion, preserves wetlands with CAD. (Cover Article).
April 1, 2003... The Soil Conservation Service was born from a nightmare that whirled out of the Plains states in the 1930s. Years of drought and poor agricultural practices had stripped the earth of natural ground cover that held the soil in place. When...

Baton Rouge uses HDD to install sanitary sewer line.
April 1, 2003... Horizontal directional drilling (HDD) is widely used to install pipelines such as water, gas, and communications, but not as frequently, sanitary sewer lines. The reason is simple, sanitary sewer lines have to be accurately installed on line...

City is riprapping historical ditch to prevent erosion.(maintenance program for Union Colony No. 3 Ditch in Greeley, Colorado)
April 1, 2003... Greeley's ditch maintenance program includes upkeep of the historical Union Colony No. 3 Ditch. It was the first of three irrigation ditches installed in 1870 in northern Colorado by members of the Union Colony, an agricultural community that...

Flood relief for the city of Deltona, Fl. (Advertisement).
April 1, 2003... The city of Deltona, FL had experienced an exorbitant amount of rainfall during the summer of 2002, causing the many lakes to overflow and residential areas to flood. As much as 100-million gallons were threatening to damage homes throughout...

Minnesota gate operations system reduces delays and accidents in severe weather.(Minnesota Department of Transportation uses gates to control traffic during severe weather)
April 1, 2003... The Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) and partners looked into new and innovative methods for controlling traffic through the use of gates. The goal of the project was to test different technologies, communications, and...

Brine storage tanks help maine dot fight winter storms.(Maine Department of Transportation )
April 1, 2003... In Maine, where snow can appear as early as mid-October and hang around until the first of May, keeping the roads passable in the winter season keeps the Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT) busy. In 2000, road crews in the Portland area...

Prosperity and quality water: a model partnership at work.(Texas implements water quality management program)
April 1, 2003... Local governments, key industrial water users, agricultural users, and public interest groups have joined forces on a Central Texas project TO ensure that economic development will complement water quality. The result is a forward-thinking,...

Town digs alternative stormwater management system.(Highland, Indiana)
April 1, 2003... Highland, Indiana, had an age-old problem. When heavy rain fell, a foot and a half of water filled intersections of a small subdivision. With limited space and money for a stormwater management system to stop the flooding, the town found an...

Negligence of federal law can lead to litigation for municipalities.
April 1, 2003... In a relevant case, Carlsbad, California, was sued by a private citizen for not having accessible public facilities. However, the case was dismissed after a legal expert testified that the city had a transition plan in place to address the...

Laguna Beach Lifeguard Tower restoring a city icon.
April 1, 2003... Laguna Beach is known for its breathtaking ocean views and village atmosphere, attracting over three million tourists each year. The Main Beach Lifeguard Tower is a treasured Laguna Beach icon, and many claim it is the most photographed and...

Product spotlight: erosion control.
April 1, 2003... PRODUCT SPOTLGIHT Erosion Control Erosion Control Retaining Company Fabrics Gabions Geogrids Walls American Excelsior...

Caterpilar construction equipment: integral part of Airport Runway Expansion. (New Products).
April 1, 2003... The Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport Fifth Runway Expansion Project is being supported by nearly 90 pieces of Caterpillar equipment and more than 30 Caterpillar dealer technicians and specialists. During the course of the expansion,...

PW update: equipment.
April 1, 2003... Manufacturers offer various twists on fleet management systems. Over the past few years, several services have emerged that use wireless systems to monitor operating hours, geographical location, and perhaps some machine health information for...

New GPS boasts dual-constellation tracking. (Equipment & Services).
April 1, 2003... The HiPer-GGD is the first fully integrated GPS receiver/antenna featuring this company's advanced positioning technology-GPS+. Combined with advanced signal processing and interference reduction, GPS+ simultaneously tracks both the GPS and...

Dozer GPS guidance system. (Equipment & Services).
April 1, 2003... The Dozer 2000 GPS machine guidance system, which uses signals from GPS satellites to measure its position precisely, now has real-time data transfer capability. Its software enables the transfer of computer files between bulldozers and the...

Next-generation GPS. (Equipment & Services).
April 1, 2003... The new 5800 GPS RTK Rover System with the Bluetooth-enabled ACU controller for cable-free surveying and color graphical capabilities is designed to allow surveyors to save time and money while achieving major improvements in workflow...

Dual-frequency GPS receiver. (Equipment & Services).
April 1, 2003... The Ashtech[R] Z-Xtreme[TM] is a rugged, weather-proof, dual-frequency GPS receiver designed to provide surveyors with cost-effective, centimeter-accurate positions in a variety of system configurations. The receiver couples state-of-the-art...

Survey data collectors. (Equipment & Services).
April 1, 2003... The SC-100 data collector series combines Fieldworks software with the Compaq 3150 Pocket PC and is said to provide a cost-effective, powerful, and modern solution for stake-out and data collection. Basic routines concentrate on construction...

Fully-integrated GPS receiver. (Equipment & Services).
April 1, 2003... The Stratus L1 GPS system is a fully-integrated GPS receiver, antenna, and battery power that is easy to use in the field, on a tripod, tribach, or range pole. The Stratus controller boasts Windows[R] CE software that provides versatility in...

GPS surveying solution. (Equipment & Services).
April 1, 2003... The Rascal[R] RTK is a hand-held, dual-frequency geodetic survey receiver that can track eight satellites in parallel. The complete system consists simply of the Rascal-8 (or Rascal-12) with RTK, radio modems, a hip belt, and TurboSurvey[R]...

Critically silenced pumps. (Equipment & Services).
April 1, 2003... The Critically Silenced enclosure houses the versatile Dri-Prime CD range and HL range pumps in an acoustically-silenced enclosure. This unit is designed for use in any application where pumping is required and engine and other noise must be...

Water-filled barricade. (Equipment & Services).
April 1, 2003... The Roo Guard self-contained water-filled barricade's connecting joint allows one person to quickly connect the units into a line and still have the ability to rise and fall with uneven ground conditions. The special design also allows a...

Pipe for sliplining. (Equipment & Services).
April 1, 2003... This pipe's high strength-to-weight ratio, smooth surface, and flush, push-together joints are said to be ideal for sliplining. Its hydraulics provide maximum flow recovery. The centrifugally-cast, fiberglass-reinforced, polymer mortar pipe is...

Utility mapping system. (Equipment & Services).
April 1, 2003... The UMS2002[R] is a utility mapping system that is an added-value package to the AutoCAD Map[R] software. It allows utilities to create digitized maps of their utility systems, with feature information, and move that data and other information...

Turf Reinforcement Mats. (Equipment & Services).
April 1, 2003... Turf Reinforcement Mats are designed specifically for reinforcing turf and protect against high erosive forces. "They provide an alternative to traditional erosion control products such as 'hard armor' (riprap and concrete methods). Turf...

Landfill compactor. (Equipment & Services).
April 1, 2003... The new 816F landfill compactor is designed and built for high productivity and long life in rugged landfill applications. The machine incorporates an upgraded, purpose-built cooling system; an improved trash protection system; various wheel...

Multi-gas monitor. (Equipment & Services).
April 1, 2003... The iTX multi-gas monitor can detect from one to six gasses simultaneously, and features a rugged, 24-gauge stainless steel housing that protects against rough environments, yet weighs only 18.5 ounces. The iTX also features Docking Station[TM]...

Flexible expansion pipe joint. (Equipment & Services).
April 1, 2003... The Flex-Tend[R] flexible expansion joint is now capable of a full 40 degrees deflection from stop to stop in sizes of three to 12 in. At 20 degrees per ball, this increased deflection adds 33 percent more flexibility per ball to provide...

Security system for pickups. (Equipment & Services).
April 1, 2003... The Pickup Pac provides security for tools and small equipment. The hatch cover closes over the tailgate of your truck, providing complete "lock-up" security. With the ladder rack, top deck, and truck bed you have three standard levels on which...

Rubber tracked Loader. (Equipment & Services).
April 1, 2003... The RC-100 All Surface Loader combines high flow, high speed, high lift, high torque, and high horsepower in one machine. Its undercarriage features 42 wheeled contact points to increase ground contact area. "As a result, the undercarriage...

Strong, flexible delineator. (Equipment & Services).
April 1, 2003... The Itsdelineator[TM]s is made of a durable, flexible channeling pylon that is housed in a self-contained cartridge recessed in the ground. It is easily raised or lowered into the cartridge as needed. The design withstands collisions with...

Picks up more litter. (Equipment & Services).
April 1, 2003... The Model 101 vacuum litter collection vehicle boasts an increased 80-gal litter container. Other features include straight-through suction, 28-hp Kubota liquid-cooled diesel engine, 8-in, diameter suction hose, and power-assisted vacuum arm....

New total stations. (Equipment & Services).
April 1, 2003... The newly designed DTM-552, DTM-532, and DTM-522 total stations replace the current DTM-501 Series. The DTM-502 Series provides faster, more accurate data collection and has a new, more user-friendly display system; an enhanced onboard software...

New generation of tub grinders. (Equipment & Services).
April 1, 2003... Designed for large volume wood and yard waste processing, the improved 800-hp TG800 and the new 1,000-hp TG1000 tub grinders feature the Duplex Drum rotor system. The Duplex Drum has 10 hammers that cut 20 radial paths across the drum for full...

Water evaporation retardant. (Equipment & Services).
April 1, 2003... Water$avr combines long-known evaporation control technology with an innovative, self-spreading capability that makes it economically viable. According to independent testing carried out around the world, Water$avr may allow users to reduce...

Hydraulic ramp trailers. (Equipment & Services).
April 1, 2003... This Lite Hydraulic Series of trailers offers an eight-ft hydraulic ramp with an 18-in, activated approach plate to help with dock or ground loading equipment requirements. Additional features include: arch hitch of 7 ft 9 in. long on the 18,...

New feature announced for international's trucks. (Equipment & Services).
April 1, 2003... This company announces the availability of the Diamond Logic Application Solution for its 4000 and 7000 Series chassis, whose work applications include utility, refuse, and construction. The Diamond Logic system significantly reduces vehicle...

Bucket Sweeper allows quick removal of the broom. (Equipment & Services).
April 1, 2003... The new Bucket Sweeper allows quick removal of the broom to use the heavy-duty bucket for your general loader functions. Designed to work at flows of 15 to 40 gpm, the multi-purpose attachment can be used on any large loader with the required...

Five new aluminum tarp systems. (Equipment & Services).
April 1, 2003... This company has introduced five new aluminum automatic and semiautomatic tarp systems: Aluminum Open System, Ultimate Aluminum, Aluminum Electric Arm, Ultimate Aluminum Arm, and the Rear Transfer Aluminum Electric Arm. Shown is the Aluminum...

Parallelogram lift. (Equipment & Services).
April 1, 2003... This new high-capacity drive-on parallelogram lift features in bay[TM] technology. Operation and maintenance information is available on inbay's built-in LCD screen to help train new operators on the lift. Multiple height settings can be...

Toxicity-treatability testing. (Equipment & Services).
April 1, 2003... Those faced with disposing of problem wastes can perform toxicity-treatability screening tests with the Arthur Bench respirometer and determine within 10 minutes or less the effect a particular waste will have on their own or a municipal...

Pipe and cable locator is easy to use. (Equipment & Services).
April 1, 2003... The Mag-Horn ferromagnetic locator depth range is described as unsurpassed, quickly pinpointing deeply buried or paved-over iron or steel objects. It "is also the most ergonomic and easy-to-use magnetic locator ever produced, featuring a...

Geographic imaging software. (Equipment & Services).
April 1, 2003... ERDAS IMAGINE [R] V 8.6, a robust geographic imaging software suite, features a hyperspectral image analysis enhancement; common vector data access between ERDAS IMAGINE and ESRI ArcGIS' Geodatabase formats; and makes the IMAGINE Geospatial...

Burns & McDonnell. (Worth Telling).(Greg M. Graves, P.E. named president and chief operating officer)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Greg M. Graves, P.E. has been named president and chief operating officer of Burns & McDonnell (Kansas City, Missouri).

The Woolpert LLP. (Worth Telling).(elects four new members)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The Woolpert LLP Partnership (Dayton, Ohio) has elected four new members: Kenn Bullock, ASLA; Mark Haberstroh, CPA; Flint Holbrook, P.E.; and Chris Perry, P.E..

R. W. Beck, Inc. (Worth Telling).(Priscilla Ochoa)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Priscilla Ochoa has joined R. W. Beck, Inc. as a civil engineer for the Infrastructure Services Group in the San Diego, California office.

Autodesk, Inc. (Worth Telling).(Chris Bradshaw)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Chris Bradshaw has been named vice president of the GIS division at Autodesk, Inc. (San Rafael, California).

BSC Group, Inc. (Worth Telling).(job shadowing day)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... BSC Group, Inc. (Boston, Massachusetts), an environmental and engineering consulting firm, recently hosted a "job shadow" day for four East Bridgewater High School students. Job shadowing helps high school students explore career opportunities...

Freightliner LLC. (Worth Telling).(Brian Mooers named general manager)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Freightliner LLC (Portland, Oregon) has named Brian Mooers general manager of the company's Portland Truck Manufacturing Plant.

Leggette, Brashears & Graham, Inc. (Worth Telling).(new senior associates named )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... John Benvegna, Edward Destefanis, and John Bognar have been named senior associates at Leggette, Brashears & Graham, Inc. (Trumbull, Connecticut).

Bobcat Company. (Worth Telling).(Mike Ryan named president)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Mike Ryan has been named president of Bobcat Company (West Fargo, North Dakota).

MACTEC Engineering & Consulting. (Worth Telling).(Ann E. Massey appointed manager)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Ann E. Massey has been appointed north division manager for MACTEC Engineering & Consulting (Alpharetta, Georgia).

CONTECH[R] Construction Products Inc. (Worth Telling).(acquires Culfabco Inc.)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... CONTECH[R] Construction Products Inc. (Middletown, Ohio) announces the purchase of Culfabco Inc. (Anchorage, Alaska), a manufacturer of corrugated steel, aluminum, polymer-coated, and welded-seam drainage pipe. The company will operate under...

Water Quality Improvement. (Worth Telling).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The course, Creating and Using Wetlands for Wastewater and Stormwater Treatment and Water Quality Improvement, will be offered by the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Engineering Professional Development, June 11 to 13, in...

Haestad Methods. (Worth Telling).(2003 training schedule)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Haestad Methods (Waterbury, Connecticut) announces its 2003 training schedule, which applies to computer modeling software products for water distribution, sanitary sewers, stormwater systems, detention ponds, and culvert design. For details...

PBS&J's Central Region operations. (Worth Telling).(James W. Bishop)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... James W. Bishop, P.E. has been appointed the new regional director for PBS&J's Central Region operations.

Deere & Company. (Worth Telling).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Deere & Company (Moline, Illinois) and Bombardier (Valcourt, Quebec, Canada) announce they will develop new wheeled utility vehicles and technologies under a strategic alliance.

Associated Builders and Contractors. (Worth Telling).(CDM earned 2002 Safety Training and Evaluation Process award)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... CDM (Cambridge, Massachusetts) has once again been recognized for its health and safety program and record by Associated Builders and Contractors. CDM earned the 2002 Safety Training and Evaluation Process award for "platinum-level" achievement...

Profile Products LLC. (Worth Telling).(John A. Schoch new president and CEO)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Profile Products LLC (Buffalo Grove, Illinois) has named John A. Schoch as its new president and CEO.

Black & Veatch. (Worth Telling).(new Enterprise Consulting Division)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Black & Veatch (Kansas City, Missouri) announces the creation of its new Enterprise Consulting Division. Rodger E. Smith will serve as its president.

Hancor, Inc. (Worth Telling).(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has awarded Hancor, Inc. (Findlay, Ohio) and its business partner, the Hancock County Solid Waste Management District, $150,000 from the Recycling Market Development Grant Program. Hancor will invest at...

SCS Engineers. (Worth Telling).(new office in Oregon)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... SCS Engineers (Bellevue, Washington) has opened a new office at 15816 SW Upper Boones Ferry Road, Lake Oswego, Oregon 97035; phone: 503-849-7524. The office will be headed by Engineering Services Director Erik Colville, P.E.

Horner & Shifrin, Inc. (Worth Telling).(Amir A. Arab)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Amir A. Arab, P.E., structural project engineer at Horner & Shifrin, Inc. (St. Louis, Missouri), has earned his P.E. license.

Hendrickson International. (Worth Telling).(www.hendrickson-intl.com)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2003... Hendrickson International (Woodridge, Illinois) recently launched its redesigned Web site, www.hendrickson-intl.com, giving visitors added functionality, expanded content, and greater convenience.

Legal aspects.
April 1, 2003... Eminent domain ruling. The Supreme Court of Arkansas heard the case of Eugene M. Pfeifer, III; Citizens Fidelity Insurance Company; and Pulaski County, Arkansas, vs. City of Little Rock, on appeal. Its ruling states in part: "Appellant...