Public Works articles from February 2005

Public Works archives from February 2005

Added value.(Editorial)
February 1, 2005... In the other half of my life, I am editor of CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION magazine. In that role, I have to keep in touch with the issues that weigh on the minds of concrete contractors--things like finding and keeping good employees, managing...

Partnership tackles water defense technology.(News & Views)
February 1, 2005... Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, N.M.; CH2M Hill, Englewood, Colo.; and Tenix Investments, North Sydney, Australia, have announced a multi-year, multi-million dollar partnership to develop an unattended water safety system for...

White paper evaluates automated refuse collection.(News & Views)
February 1, 2005... Heil Environmental Industries, Chattanooga, Tenn., has released a 24-page resource--entitled Automated Refuse Collection: A White Paper--to help communities evaluate the viability of automating their operations. The literature discusses the...

Texas governor steers megahighway plan.(News & Views)
February 1, 2005... The Trans-Texas Corridor project, as envisioned by Texas's Republican Gov. Rick Perry in 2002, would be a 4000-mile transportation network costing $175 billion over 50 years, financed mostly with private money. Builders would then charge...

Federal agencies sign watershed agreement.(News & Views)
February 1, 2005... The EPA's Office of Water and the U.S. Army's Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works have entered into an agreement to establish a collaborative watershed partnership. The Corps of Engineers attempts to balance competing...

Las Vegas groundwater plan approved.(News & Views)
February 1, 2005... Nevada's state water resources chief has approved a plan that could have groundwater from rural Nevada flowing out of Las Vegas faucets by 2007. A Nevada Division of Water Resources ruling lets the Southern Nevada Water Authority pump almost...

Security guidelines issued to water utilities.(News & Views)
February 1, 2005... Funded through an EPA initiative, the American Society of Civil Engineers--with the American Water Works Association and Water Environment Federation--have developed a set of three security guidance documents that cover the design of online...

Construction, surveying user conference.(News & Views)
February 1, 2005... Trimble Navigation Ltd., Sunnyvale, Calif., will hold its International User Conference Oct. 23-26 at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas. With more than 100 sessions planned, the event will focus on applying technology to the needs faced daily by...

Company tapped for large-pipe CSO project.(News & Views)
February 1, 2005... ADS Environmental Services, Huntsville, Ala., has been contracted by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission to install and operate 100 temporary flow meters. The goal is to collect sufficient and accurate flow information for the San...

SWANA symposia proceedings on CD-ROM.(News & Views)
February 1, 2005... Proceedings from the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) 2004 Annual Waste Reduction, Recycling & Composting/Collection & Transfer Symposia are available on CD-ROM. Content includes talks on resource management, policy issues,...

Rural roads prove deadly for Southeast drivers.(DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION)
February 1, 2005... Rural two-lane highways are the largest single class of roads in the United States--and they are the deadliest, especially in the Southeast. From 1996 to 2000, almost one-third of the nation's traffic fatalities occurred in just eight...

Call for entries: 2005 All-America City Award.(COMMUNITY)
February 1, 2005... The National Civic League is accepting nominations for the 2005 All-America City Award, which recognizes communities overcoming challenges through innovation and collaboration. Since 1949, the award has been given to municipalities...

Farmers' market crash offers harsh lesson.(OPERATIONS)
February 1, 2005... A crash at a farmers' market that killed 10 people and injured 63 sends an urgent warning to state and local traffic planners to ensure that safety barricades, detour signs, and barriers are adequate at locations where streets are temporarily...

Fluoride debate arises in Oregon.(RULES & REGS)
February 1, 2005... Less than a quarter of Oregon state residents drink fluoridated water, but health officials are campaigning for its increased use in public drinking water. Residents in areas without fluoridated water have been skeptical, deciding that messing...

Company launches desalination research.(OPERATIONS)
February 1, 2005... Black & Veatch, Overland Park, Kan., is leading a research project--sponsored jointly by the Awwa Research Foundation and the California Energy Commission--to develop a treatment process that reduces the cost and energy consumption for inland...

Water Security Congress announced.(OPERATIONS)
February 1, 2005... On the eve of the 10th anniversary of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building terrorist bombing, security experts, water utility managers, and emergency responders will gather in Oklahoma City to confront issues related to the security of water...

Budget woes halt San Diego water, sewer plans.(COMMUNITY)
February 1, 2005... San Diego can't start construction on more than $334 million in water and sewer capital projects scheduled for this year until it resolves the financial crisis that has crippled its borrowing ability. The city will spend about $590 million...

A lucky, albeit leaky, find.(Ideas & Opinions)
February 1, 2005... In the 1870s, city engineer Major Charles Davis was called to investigate a typical public works complaint--the dreaded "basement backup problem." We can all imagine what Davis faced when he showed up to investigate--a group of homeowners upset...

Compensation packages ease hiring problems.(Ideas & Opinions/Fleets)
February 1, 2005... Benefits packages help public works departments attract and retain qualified fleet mechanics, even if public-sector wages run somewhat below the private sector, say fleet managers. Shortages of qualified mechanics appear to be a regional...

The quest for Mayberry: a public works director's search for the perfect community.(Administration & management)(Cover Story)
February 1, 2005... Most public works directors and other local government employees that have pursued a career in this field have at one time or another began what I like to call a "Quest for Mayberry." Perhaps a better way of putting it is a quest for a utopian...

Managing C & D debris: sifting through new solutions to manage waste disposal.(Solid waste collection & disposal)
February 1, 2005... With landfill space decreasing and environmental concerns and regulations increasing, public works officials are sifting through the waste stream for new ways to manage waste disposal. One portion of the waste stream that they have identified...

Replenishing groundwater: groundwater project is at the forefront of water purification.(Water treatment)
February 1, 2005... Despite the recent dramatic rains in California, Orange County remains in the midst of a prolonged drought affecting the entire Western United States. And with projections for large population increases of up to 500,000 people by 2020, combined...

The show for snow! 2005 APWA North American Snow Conference: the premier event for snow and ice management!
February 1, 2005... "If you have the desire to gain ideas on how to improve your agency's winter maintenance program, the North American Snow Conference is the place to be. You'll find exhibitors, speakers, topics and attendees from all across North America....

A quick scan: laser scanning cuts survey time.(Surveying & mapping)
February 1, 2005... Douglas Kuypers is a one-man laser-scanning team. In an ongoing project to develop maintenance plan data for the San Diego International Airport, Kuypers, with the Denver office of Woolpert Inc., used 3-D laser scanning to capture this data in...

Increasing work-zone safety: water-filled barricades guide through dangerous work areas.(Transportation safety)
February 1, 2005... Water-filled longitudinal channelizing barricades provide clear visual guidance to vehicles and pedestrians approaching and traversing sudden, unusual, or unexpected traffic patterns around temporary work zones. In many instances, these...

Setting standards: a fast-growing California city stays ahead of the growth curve.(Infrastructure construction & maintenance)
February 1, 2005... Nestled in picturesque western Placer County just north of the state capitol of Sacramento, the historic city of Lincoln, Calif., is called "a small community with big ideas." In 1998 this small agricultural town had just 8500 residents. Today...

Microtunneling in Hawaii: HDD and microtunneling used to replace sewer main.(Pipeline construction & maintenance)
February 1, 2005... Just 40 miles long and 26 miles wide, Oahu is not the biggest island in the Hawaiian archipelago, but it serves as the seat of government and is home to the state's largest city, Honolulu. It also is home to Honolulu Harbor, the largest and...

Gravelpave2 system.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
February 1, 2005... The Chicago Department of Environment and the city Department of Transportation rebuilt an asphalt alley using a permeable system. The new alley has eliminated formerly chronic flooding without using the sewer system and reduced the heat island...

Hydra-Tag system for valves.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
February 1, 2005... Assured Flow's HYDRA-TAG is a custom tagging system for valves. This durable identification system is made from corrosion resistant brass. Stamps are available for custom numbering or lettering. The HYDRA-TAG attaches securely to the bolts on...

Membrane Monster.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
February 1, 2005... The Bandscreen Monster[TM], part of JWC's Monster Separation Systems[TM], screens wastewater to remove problem solids and protect membrane bioreactor treatment plants (MBR's). The unique inside-out flow pattern and perforated panels with 2mm...

Dri-Prime[R] diesel pumps.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
February 1, 2005... New Godwin Dri-Prime[R] diesel pumps combine high head capabilities with solids handling. Two new high volume diesel Dri-Prime automatic self-priming pumps available from Godwin--the 4-inch CD103M and 6-inch CD160M--offer heads from 145' to...

Pipe supports--stainless.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
February 1, 2005... These easily installed adjustable clamping pipe brackets from RELINER[R]/ Duran Inc. are made of non-corrosive 11 gauge 304 stainless. They securely attach pipes to manhole walls and other surfaces with no protruding hardware and are fully...

Garden magic wire baskets.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
February 1, 2005... RoLanka's Garden Magic baskets are fabricated from elegant hand welded steel with weather resistant black vinyl coating. Shaped coir liners are included. Elegant baskets for city beautification projects. www.rolanka.com [ILLUSTRATION...

Triborough bridge overlay.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
February 1, 2005... Transpo's T-48 Low Modulus Polysulfide Epoxy Polymer Concrete Overlay was selected material to be used on the 220,000 sq.ft. Triborough Bridge project. The T-48 is extremely resistant to UV degredation and the slurry matrix/broadcast aggregate...

Water-filled barricade.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
February 1, 2005... 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...

Line Tamer[TM] attachment.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
February 1, 2005... VAC-TRON introduces an easy way to clean valve boxes, operate hydraulic water main valves, and flush water systems with our Line Tamer(tm) attachment. The FlowMaster(tm) documents the number of rotations, torque required to open valves, the...

SpectraPave2 software.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
February 1, 2005... SpectraPave2 software uses Giroud-Han design technology, and now you can make it work for you when designing or estimating your next roadway project. It reduces aggregate requirements, improves subgrade performance, and features fast, reliable,...

6000 series pumps.(SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Products for the Pros)(Advertisement)
February 1, 2005... A cool-running pump lasts longer. And when it comes to heavy demands for water, sewage and effluent removal, the Zoeller 6000 series pumps are the coolest. Heat-dispersing fins, an oil-filled motor compartment, and a heavy duty cast-iron casing...

Reporting software: makes tasks easier.(Products Solving Problems)
February 1, 2005... Public works directors are accustomed to dealing with heavy equipment, road bases, and guardrails, so selecting work-management software can present a challenge. Scott Bressler, operations manager of the Butler County Engineer's Office in...

Weldable primer gives New York bridge longevity.(Products Solving Problems)
February 1, 2005... Opened on July 11, 1936, at a cost of $60 million, New York City's Triborough Bridge carried approximately 30,000 vehicles per day between Queens, Manhattan, and the Bronx during its first year of operation. Today the bridge--actually a complex...

HDPE pipe saves the day at Air Force base.(Products Solving Problems)
February 1, 2005... The landfill at California's Vandenberg Air Force Base (AFB) performs its intended function well but--according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency--its performance as a ponding basin for stormwater runoff was less impressive. The...

Featuring: trucks & accessories.(Products)
February 1, 2005... Operators are demanding more from their trucks, in terms of performance, versatility, and comfort. Manufacturers have responded by releasing new and upgraded vehicles and accessories to meet a broad range of needs and applications. These...

PW forum: answers to vexing questions.
February 1, 2005... The following solutions were submitted in response to a letter in the October 2004 issue of PUBLIC WORKS addressing water loss in distribution systems. If you have a question or are interested in contributing your expertise to this column,...

Poling a hole in manhole cover thieves' plans.(Out of the Ordinary)
February 1, 2005... Thieves can be a bold, resourceful lot. They swipe Subarus in broad daylight, pilfer pants in the midst of crowded malls, and make off with makeup in busy department stores. These crimes cost retailers and citizens billions of dollars annually....