Public Works articles from December 2005

Public Works archives from December 2005

How we bring your job together sets us apart: whether building new or maintaining existing, Simpson has the innovative anchor products you need.(Advertisement)
December 1, 2005... From the highway to the runway--from water treatment to warehouse and everywhere in between--Simpson Anchor Systems has the right anchor for the job. We offer a full range of innovative anchor products including mechanical anchors, structural...

The business of water.(Editorial)
December 1, 2005... As my taxi whisked me through the streets of Washington, D.C., toward the WEFTEC show last month, I realized that there's not nearly enough government. I passed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency building. I passed the Supreme Court...

ArcGIS 9 solutions for water and wastewater utilities: the complete geographic information system.(Advertisement)
December 1, 2005... ArcGIS[R] 9 is a framework of integrated GIS software products from ESRI for building a complete GIS. The fundamental architecture of ArcGIS enables users to deploy GIS functionality and business logic wherever it is needed in desktops, on...

San Diego passes C & D recycling ordinance.(News & Views)
December 1, 2005... The San Diego City Council has passed a construction and demolition (C & D) debris diversion ordinance in an effort to extend the life of the city's Miramar Landfill, and to help the city meet state recycling mandates. The ordinance, expected...

Water standards book published.(News & Views)
December 1, 2005... The American Public Health Association, American Water Works Association, and Water Environment Federation have released the 21st edition of the Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater. Previous editions have served as the...

L.A. brownfield project garners award.(DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION)
December 1, 2005... Chesterfield Square, a brownfield project in Los Angeles, has received a Phoenix Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and International City/County Management Association. Long Beach, Calif.-based SCS Engineers designed and...

Applications available for All-America City Awards.(AWARDS)
December 1, 2005... The National Civic League is accepting applications for the 2006 All-America City Awards. The program recognizes exceptional community problem-solving and is given to cities, towns, neighborhoods, counties, and regions that work cooperatively...

Iowa roadway named project of the year.(AWARDS)
December 1, 2005... A six-lane roadway has been named the 2005 Outstanding Civil Engineering Project by the Iowa chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Boasting a $75 million price tag, the Martin Luther King Jr....

2006 APWA conference changes cities.(EVENTS)
December 1, 2005... The American Public Works Association (APWA) has shifted the location for its 2006 Congress and Exhibition from New Orleans to Kansas City, Mo. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The dates for the show will remain Sept. 10-13. The association's...

Wastewater treatment earns award.(News & Views)
December 1, 2005... Little Rock, Ark.-based ThermoEnergy Corp. has received a 2005 Municipal and Industrial Wastewater Treatment Technology Innovation of the Year Award from Frost & Sullivan, a New York City consulting firm. The award recognizes the company's...

Guide outlines work-zone rules.(News & Views)
December 1, 2005... The Federal Highway Administration has published a guide to help work zone practitioners implement the recently updated work zone safety and mobility rule. Implementing the Rule on Work Zone Safety and Mobility provides a general overview of...

Partnership benefits pedestrians.(DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION)
December 1, 2005... The recent ribbon-cutting dedication of the Cloverleaf Drive Pedestrian Bridge near Bridgewater and Somerville, N.J., marked a milestone for county, municipal, and state agencies working in concert toward ensuring pedestrian safety. The...

Sewage plant wins national award.(COMMUNITY)
December 1, 2005... The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has acknowledged the Durham Wastewater Treatment Facility in Tigard, Ore., with a first-place award for operations and maintenance. The accolade is part of the EPA's Clean Water Act Recognition...

EPA to develop drinking water database.(News & Views)
December 1, 2005... The EPA's Office of Research and Development is funding a five-year, $2 million research project--led by environmental consultants Malcolm Pirnie Inc., White Plains, N.Y.--to develop a comprehensive drinking water treatability database. It will...

Guide on protecting wastewater.(News & Views)
December 1, 2005... The National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) has released the latest document in its series of publications focusing on the protection of wastewater infrastructure assets. Planning for Decontamination Wastewater: A Guide for...

Association honors Congressman.(PEOPLE)
December 1, 2005... The American Public Works Association (APWA) presented Rep. James L. Oberstar (D-Minn.) with its 2005 Distinguished Service Award. During nearly 30 years of service in the House of Representatives, Oberstar has advocated investment in...

Asphalt, cement demand to continue increase.(OPERATIONS)
December 1, 2005... According to a report by Cleveland-based Free-donia Group, demand for asphalt products is forecast to jump 1.2% annually to 38.8 million tons in 2009, valued at more than $12 billion. Gains will derive from expanding demand for asphalt paving...

Letters to the editor.(News & Views)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2005... Months ago, I serendipitously received your magazine by mistake (March 2005). Your Headworks Editorial (page 5) was right in stride with the theme of our regional environmental education conference we had in October. I pushed this group to try...

Building greatness: department of the year winners tell all.(Special report)(Cover Story)
December 1, 2005... According to the dictionary, perfection can be defined as "an instance of excellence." In three public works departments across the country, we've captured these instances, and provide them to you as examples of how to build--and maintain--a...

The budget face-off: tips and tricks to fight budget meltdowns.(Fleet management)
December 1, 2005... It's a plight shared by many. Fuel costs have shot up, but tax revenues are the same or down. You're asked to "hold the line" on costs. "'Hold the line' means cut your budget, because the bills keep increasing," said Kent Cash, assistant...

Going the extra mile: UDOT has positive experience with cross-training.(Fleet management)
December 1, 2005... In the past decade, Utah has enjoyed economic success and expansion as the population has increased 30%. At the same time, lane miles on the state's highways have increased at an even faster rate than the population. Transportation indicators...

Keeping control from a distance: remote system simplifies sewer plant operations.(Wastewater treatment)
December 1, 2005... With the right instrumentation and controls, a sewer plant can be operated effectively from a remote location, as the Board of Water and Sewer Commissioners of the city of Mobile, Ala., has demonstrated at one of its facilities. The Wright...

A hot night in the big city: how to mitigate the Urban Heat Island.(Asset management)
December 1, 2005... In the 1950s, 30% of the world's population lived in urban areas. By 2030, 60% of the world's population will live in cities. The phenomenon of rapid urbanization is resulting in the transition of native vegetation to manmade engineered paved...

Top of the heap: award-winning transfer stations share tips for success.(Solid waste collection & disposal)
December 1, 2005... A solid-waste transfer station is more than a mere shed into which solid waste is unceremoniously dumped. At its best, it is a well-oiled machine, thoughtfully designed and manned by a conscientious staff with an eye toward efficiency, safety,...

Natural Bacta-Pur[R] POND.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2005... Fast-acting Bacta-Pur[R] POND is the simple and effective way to revitalize ponds and lakes of all sizes. The environmentally safe formula uses natural processes to improve water quality, without the use of harsh chemicals. Scientifically...

Hobas pipe for direct buy.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2005... HOBAS pipe is ideal for direct bury because of its high stiffness, which handles very deep cover depths with ease. Inherent corrosion resistance makes the fiberglass reinforced, polymer mortar pipe extremely long lasting and an economical...

Distance Measuring Instruments.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2005... JAMAR Technologies has 3 new models of their already popular RAC Series vehicle installed Distance Measuring Instruments. The RAC-PLUS I, PLUS II and PLUS III are smaller (2.3"H X 7.8"W X 1.19"D) while maintaining their proven high intensity...

Enduring beauty and strength for exterior hard landscapes.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2005... CHROMIX Admixtures for Color-Conditioned Concrete provide non-fading UV-resistant integral colors for improving the appearance and durability of concrete. Request our new expanded color card at info@scofield.com or 800-800-9900. ...

Manhole channel repair system.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2005... RELINER[R] molded fiberglass flumes and pipe sections used to rehabilitate inverts without flow interruption and are also used in new construction. Field-installed modular components bolt together and are adaptable to a wide range of field...

Garden magic wire baskets.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2005... RoLanka's unique Garden Magic hayracks, wire hanging baskets are manufactured to higher quality standards. They are fabricated from elegant hand welded steel with weather resistant black vinyl coating. They are durable easy to handle and save...

Multipurpose Hand-Held Vise.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2005... Multipurpose Hand-Held Vise Save time and money with the new The Multi-Vise Tool[TM] II. It can power in like most vises but can also power out. Install culvert bands, water pipe repair clamps and bell pipe. Heavy duty J-Hooks or L-Hooks can be...

External seals.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2005... Made from high quality EPDM rubber, INFI-SHIELD[R] external seal prevents Inflow and Infiltration in manholes or catch basins. Having excellent adhesion properties, INFI-SHIELD[R] is bonded with non-hardening butyl mastic. Being one continuous...

Pre-engineered bridge structures.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2005... Regardless of the bridge style desired, whether it be bow truss, pratt truss, X-brace truss, oriental-style, cable stay, or long-span, Steadfast Bridge enables designers to choose from a variety of shapes and sizes. One such new approach is the...

Trackless snowblower.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2005... After cleaning the sidewalks with the Trackless snowblower, you can change to the truck loading chute to load windrowed snow from the street or the cul de sacs. In both cases the manoeuvrability and physical size of the MT 5 and blower are less...

Keeping water costs in check.(Products Solving Problems)
December 1, 2005... Ever-increasing costs and limited resources are driving municipalities, real-estate developers, and commercial landscapers to seek innovative ways to reduce water usage. The Lake Forest Keys community in Southern California's city of Lake...

Stump grinder.(Featuring: Park maintenance equipment)
December 1, 2005... The Model 2900 stump grinder features a 79-hp engine, and a 24-inch hydrostatic cutter wheel that lets the machine quickly dispatch stumps of any size. Its expandable and retractable rubber-tracked undercarriage and compact width (35 inches at...

Sickle bar.(Featuring: Park maintenance equipment)
December 1, 2005... The McConnel Swingtrim sickle bar can cut hedges, grass, and weeds in hard-to-reach areas. With its articulated boom and 4-foot length, it can handle brush and small trees up to 1/2 inch in diameter. Weighing less than 500 pounds, it can be...

Large-scale beach cleaner.(Featuring: Park maintenance equipment)
December 1, 2005... The BeachTech 3000 is suitable for cleaning large areas of sand economically. It can cover more than 35,800 square yards of dry sand an hour, and nearly 18,000 square yards of wet sand per hour. Two hydrostatic pumps drive the pickup roller and...

Sturdy brush cutter.(Featuring: Park maintenance equipment)
December 1, 2005... This 72-inch, high-flow brush cutter has a heavy-duty, 1/4-inch-thick steel deck, with formed, stiffened side plates and skid shoes for durability. Its high clearance and smooth deck design prevents debris from building up. The unit's...

Heavy-duty mower.(Featuring: Park maintenance equipment)
December 1, 2005... The 997 Z-Trak mower, featuring a 31-hp diesel engine, is geared toward heavy-duty governmental and commercial applications. The deck is constructed of a single sheet of 7-gauge steel; choose from 60-inch side or rear discharge, or 72-inch side...

Debris blower.(Featuring: Park maintenance equipment)
December 1, 2005... The Turbine Blower mounts on the company's 700 and 900 Series True ZeroTurn FrontMount mowers for maximum maneuverability. Its 360-degree, remote-controlled nozzle rotation enables the operator to precisely direct airflow for fast clean-up. The...

Versatile beach cleaner.(Featuring: Park maintenance equipment)
December 1, 2005... The Surf Rake uses tines to efficiently remove a range of materials from sand, from cigarette butts to driftwood. It cleans in both wet and dry sand conditions, and they can be used on turf and dirt to remove litter and stones. Three models are...

Heavy-duty mulcher.(Featuring: Park maintenance equipment)
December 1, 2005... The HM312 mulcher has a high-speed rotor with 28 tungsten carbide teeth to cut and shred vegetation. It can cut brush up to nearly 8 inches in diameter. The machine features an axial pump hydraulic motor to drive the 48-inch drum. The V-belt...

High-speed beach cleaner.(Featuring: Park maintenance equipment)
December 1, 2005... With single-screen cleaning, the 4700XL beach cleaner cleans in 6-foot widths. The screens feature easy-glide flights, which offer low-wear reliability. The screening method enables users to customize the size of material removed, providing...

Versatile cutting decks.(Featuring: Park maintenance equipment)
December 1, 2005... The XR-7 mowing decks--available on the company's Super Z and Hustler Z machines--offer versatility and fine cutting capability. Choose from side-discharge, mulching, or catching configurations; a striping roller is optional. Each deck...

Zero-turn-radius mowers.(Featuring: Park maintenance equipment)
December 1, 2005... The Z Master Z593-D zero-turn riding mowers feature liquid-cooled, 23-hp diesel engines. The 52- and 60-inch machines can handle rough conditions and tough terrain with a high level of fuel efficiency. An adjustable baffle lets the operator...

Small-footprint mower.(Featuring: Park maintenance equipment)
December 1, 2005... The Black Bear ZTR Pro Series line of mowers includes a 34-inch cut-width model, designed to maneuver in tight spaces (a 44-inch model also in available). Choose between a 16-hp twin-cylinder engine and an 18-hp single-cylinder engine. The...

Roadside weed control.(Featuring: Park maintenance equipment)
December 1, 2005... The WeedSeeker weed control system is suitable for use around roads, shoulders, streets, and parking lots. The truck-mounted product uses advanced optics and circuitry to sense the presence of a weed, then signals a spray nozzle to deliver a...

Recycling receptacles.(Featuring: Park maintenance equipment)
December 1, 2005... These recycling receptacles consist of durable, powder-coated black tops and stainless-steel bodies. The tops can be customized for specific use, and the bodies are rustproof, weatherproof, and include leak-proof rigid plastic liners; leg...

High-visibility speed cushion.(Featuring: Park maintenance equipment)
December 1, 2005... The Traficop speed cushion helps safely reduce vehicle speeds, helping prevent accidents and manage traffic. Each unit is made of long-wearing recycled rubber, and fuel- and weather-resistant polyurethane; the product is more durable than the...

Skidsteer snow plow.(Featuring: Park maintenance equipment)
December 1, 2005... Ultra snow plows are suitable for mounting on skidsteers from 4000 to 10,000 pounds. It has a trip cutting edge, tightly rolled moldboard, and it angles a full 32.5 degrees for optimal efficiency. The product offers heavy-duty construction,...

Playground climbers.(Featuring: Park maintenance equipment)
December 1, 2005... The Spacenet Octa Net 4142 has four wing-like extensions, each supported by an independent post. The Tetra-headron 2450 structure is appropriate for children 2 to 5 years old. Both of the 3-D climbing structures are made of tight-woven...

Turbine agitator.(Featuring: Park maintenance equipment)
December 1, 2005... The GT turbine agitator has an efficient double-reduction gear drive for a high level of mixing power with minimized energy consumption. The coated, castiron housing offers optimal corrosion resistance in indoor or outdoor applications. Other...

PW forum: answers to vexing questions.
December 1, 2005... Questions and answers in this section are from InfoNOW, a member-only service of the American Public Works Association. APWA's InfoNOW communities provide public works professionals an open forum for information exchange. There are 12 different...

Mile-high rewards.(Profile)
December 1, 2005... As manager of the department of public works in Denver, Guillermo "Bill" Vidal confronts many challenges that are all too common to public works leaders--growing population, aging infrastructure, shrinking budgets. However, he draws upon more...