Public Works articles from July 2001

Public Works archives from July 2001

Volunteers and sponsors serve as stewards for public lands.
July 1, 2001... As reported in the May issue of BLM News, published by the Bureau of Land Management, Oregon State office, Portland, Oregon, each September, hundreds of volunteers head out to Oregon rivers, campsites, trails, lakes, and other public places to...

With control of the Senate shifting to the Democratic Party, the National Association of Counties sees improved odds for some of the legislation that it is following.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... "A Senate controlled by the Democrats could mean higher funding for some of NACo's labor, health and human service priorities. It is fair to expect that the allocations for the Labor HHS appropriations subcommittee will be higher under Majority...

Correction.
July 1, 2001... Please note that the article on page 22 of the June 2001 issue, "Water Rate Adjustments are Crucial to Water System Improvements," should have included the following byline: Thomas D. Nesbitt, P.E. Mr. Nesbitt is a Senior Vice President at...

Fiber optic network is deployed through Omaha sewer system.
July 1, 2001... CityNet Telecommunications Inc. (Silver Spring, Maryland), a leader in building last-mile broadband networks, recently launched commercial deployment of a fiber optic network through the sewer system of Omaha, Nebraska. Omaha Mayor Hal...

High-Rate Wet Weather Solution.(sewer system)
July 1, 2001... Designed to treat peak flows of 20 mgd, the nation's first ever high-rate clarification (HRC) combined sewer overflow (CSO) treatment facility in Bremerton, Washington, requires only a 15-minute start uptime to begin treating stormwater that...

Pond Restoration and Flood Control.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... In this country, not counting the 60,052 sq mi of Great Lakes, there are about 79,481 sq mi of inland waters. That is 50,867,840 acres of smaller lakes, ponds, reservoirs, lagoons, rivers, stock tanks, storage basins, and the like--or, as US...

Energize Construction Project Management.
July 1, 2001... Every construction project is unique. Some construction projects are easily built; some projects are difficult to build. One common thread present in every construction project is the relationship that exists between the contractor and the...

Bridges the Communiocations Gap.(software establishes dedicated Web sites for document transfer)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... With the advent of new technology and increasing Internet capabilities the ability to share project documents and information among team and staff members who might be anywhere in the world has gone from exchanging hard copies and faxes to CDs...

Remanufactured Engines.
July 1, 2001... Take a walk around the sprawling Heavy Truck Shop run by DeKalb County, Georgia's Department of Fleet Maintenance in Decatur, east of Atlanta, and you will run into some big numbers. The truck shop includes 18 bays, and another 10 are devoted...

Important Tool In Traffic Engineering.
July 1, 2001... The concept of traffic control, which focuses simply on moving vehicles, has begun giving way to the broader philosophy of Transportation Systems Management (TSM). The purpose of TSM is to make optimum use of transportation resources to improve...

Keeps Traffic Lights Operational.
July 1, 2001... Many of us take for granted the importance of traffic signals in our daily commutes and how they are essential in regulating the safe, orderly flow of traffic throughout our community. These electronic marvels are pretty much ignored until they...

Engineers and Municipalities.(municipal engineering management)
July 1, 2001... Between roads, water, sewers, treatment plants, and special assessments, it is inevitable that cities and townships use civil engineering services. But municipal officials must choose the right engineering firm and structure the relationship...

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY.(usage benefits and information)
July 1, 2001... One lesson learned from research on the utilization of information technology over the past 30 or more years is that, properly deployed and used, IT can change for the better the ways that organizations conduct business and also can provide...

Tree Chippers with Conveyor.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... A new 5.5-ft conveyor feed system for the Model 1850 and 1900 towable and self-propelled whole tree chippers enable these machines to more efficiently tackle piled brush and whole trees, seasonal brush cleanups, and easily process storm damaged...

Track Wood Hog.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... The Model 5600 wood hog on tracks is designed to move and grind simultaneously, and with horsepower options ranging from 750 to 860, it can handle demanding applications, making quick work of green waste, pallets, brush, stumps, and other...

Stump Grinder Attachment.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... The SG60 stump grinder attachment for this company's Model 773, 863, 873, and 864 standard and high-flow skid-steer loaders features a grinding head mounted 90 degrees to the operator for increased visibility of the cutting area. A Model 863...

Powerful Stump Cutter.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... If you demand a diesel stump cutter with the look and feel of the higher horsepower machines, and if completely removing a 36-in, diameter hardwood stump in under 12 minutes appeals to you, then you should consider the RG 1642M stump cutter....

Roll-Off Tub Grinder.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... The HD-9R roll-off grinder "offers many advantages to recycling operators. Just hook it up, load it on the truck in less than two minutes, and transport it to almost any location. Simply unload the grinder, fold out the conveyor, put the...

Wood Shredder.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... Mechanical mounts are now available to match the Bull Hog [R] wood shredder to carriers from 55 to 350 hp, whether the vehicle is rubber tired or tracked, including excavators and tractors. Powered hydraulically or used in tandem with a tractor...

Compact Tub Grinder.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... The DZ[R] Model 1136B tub grinder has an 11-ft tub diameter and weighs in at 38,000 lb. It is compact, but with up to 425 hp applied to a 36-in. hammermill, it is very aggressive. The 1136B is equipped with 14 hammers at 40 lb each and can...

Mare Power, Less Width.(stump cutter product information)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... Because of its narrow width and tow-free, self-propelled design, the 50hp, diesel-powered SC5OTX stump cutter navigates in places conventional stump cutters are unable to reach without tearing up the ground as it goes. With turf-friendly rubber...

Traffic Cone Strobe Lights.(aircraft style strobe light information)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... The High VisStrobe[TM] is an aircraft-style Xenon strobe light that sends a powerful pulse of white light 360 degrees for several miles 60 to 70 times per minute. The base of the light features a snap in mounting for nearly every traffic cone...

Truck Bed Linings.(from Rhino Linings USA, Inc)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... In the year since this firm introduced its National Account Strategic Alliance to make relining of truck beds and other truck areas more convenient, it has enjoyed wide acceptance among fleet operators. Customers need not coordinate application...

Extendible Barricade.(Safe-T-Gate product information)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... The Safe-T-Gate is an extendible barricade for vehicle and pedestrian traffic control. Fill the bottom of the high density polyethylene barricade's legs with up to 20 lb of sand or water for stability. The company says the fluorescent orange...

Highway Management System.(company products and management information)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... This software products and services company combines the expertise of leading transportation engineers, GIS specialists, and IT professionals to create advanced integrated information systems for highway management. Bridging the gap between...

Erosion Control Blankets.(synthetic fiber product information)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... Futerra[R] erosion control blankets are easily installed on slope stabilization projects and have proven effective in preventing washouts. Futerra combines wood fiber and crimped interlocking synthetic fiber. Its seed germination rate is said...

Plastic Endwall.(drainage product information)(Product Information)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... This plastic endwall is available for a wide variety of drainage applications. The lightweight, pre-fabricated system is easy to install, costs less than traditional endwalls, requires virtually no maintenance, and has a hollow base that can be...

Barricade Light Alternative.(new product information)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... Described as a low cost alternative to traditional barricade lights, this device requires no batteries. It is made of aluminum with fluorescent yellow diamond grade sheeting and installs easily on barricades, channelizers, and delineators....

Equipment Rentals.(from Rentmaker.com)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... Rentmaker (www.rentmaker.com) is the Internet's first and deepest 24-hour marketplace for equipment rentals, says the company. Rentmaker transmits requests or RFQs from government agencies, contractors, and other rental users to the company's...

Traffic Data Recorder.(TRAX RD product information)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... The TRAX RD automatic traffic data recorder stores a time-stamp for every axle that gets recorded during a study. "This provides unparalleled flexibility when the data is processed using our data analysis software." Various reports and graphs...

Energy Saving Ballasts.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... Flexiwatt[R] automatic dimming electronic ballasts for fluorescent lighting are easy to install. They act like "thermostats," automatically and continuously adjusting each fixture to maintain the preset illumination level. When natural light is...

Melter/Applicator.(Magma Series asphalt machinery product information)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... Magma Series 410 melter/applicator for crack sealing operations features an asphalt fume reduction system that protects operators and the environment. Centralized curbside controls bring operational activities within easy reach. Digital...

CIPP Trenchless Rehabilitation System.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... National Liner[R] trenchless system for rehabilitating sanitary and stormwater pipelines is made of non-woven, needled polyester felt and saturated with a thermosetting resin. It is easily inserted into an upstream manhole expanded with...

Pavers Help with ADA Compliance.(Americans with Disabilities Act )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... "Let Wausau Tile help your critical areas become more Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant with our two versions of specially designed payers and matching treads." Choose either the warning strip or dot 12-in. x 12-in. pavers and...

Civil Tools for Windows[TM].(civil engineering software)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... Civil Tools for Windows software package offers 50 routines for everyday civil engineering needs in streets, earthwork, coordinate geometry, hydraulics, general mathematics, and cost analysis. It operates within Windows 3.1, Windows 95, and...

Ceramic Gas Diffusers.
July 1, 2001... This new line of ceramic gas diffusers designed specifically for supplying superior dissolved oxygen levels for water and wastewater treatment applications requiring enhanced performance or stringent dissolved oxygen discharge limits. Several...

Fluid Extraction Unit.
July 1, 2001... The TT-Series oil and fluid handling and extraction unit's closed system extraction method prevents service personnel from coming into contact with waste oils and fluids. The simple-to-use extractor is portable for on- and off-premises fleet...

LEGAL ASPECTS OF PUBLIC WORKS.
July 1, 2001... Jurisdiction over land use approval. In the case of Dorothea M. Mutschler, Richard Wilde and Barbara Wilde, Plaintiffs-Respondents, vs. New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Raymond E. Cantor and Kevin Broderick,...

Denver seeks to reduce automobile fuel consumption.
July 1, 2001... The city of Denver, Colorado reports it is continuing to step up efforts to help the environment and reduce fuel consumption by integrating more electric and gas-electric hybrid vehicles into its automobile fleet. At a recent press conference...

EPA Administrator Christie Whitman approved a final rule that will increase protections for 35 million Americans served by 4,600 drinking water systems from microbial contaminants.
July 1, 2001... Drinking water plants that filter water before sending it to their consumers must periodically clean their filters to remove the particulates that have been captured over time. Water is pumped backwards through the filter to remove these...

Meanwhile, the Natural Re sources Defense Council said it would sue EPA to challenge the administration's suspension of the new arsenic-in-tap-water standard.
July 1, 2001... "The Bush administration's decision to suspend the new arsenic-in-tap-water rule in the face of what it calls 'overwhelming' public opposition is stunningly arrogant and wrongheaded," said Erik Olson, an NRDC attorney. Olson said the Bush...

Labor Secretary Elaine Chao has scheduled three national meetings on the issue of ergonomics safety in the workplace.
July 1, 2001... She plans to identify a course of action for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration in September. "We are bringing everyone to the table to get this important issue moving forward and resolved," Chao said. "Defining the best...

EPA held a public meeting in June to continue discussions on improving information to consumers.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... EPA held a public meeting in June to continue discussions on improving information to consumers about the safe use and handling of wood pressure-treated with chromated copper arsenate (CCA), a wood preservative that contains arsenic. The...

The Construction Industry Manufacturers Association (CIMA) has warned Congress not to repeal or reduce the federal gasoline tax as a reaction to higher prices.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... Instead, it said legislators should address the energy production issues involved with the current increases in gasoline prices. "Cutting or repealing the federal gas tax is a short-term solution that may not affect the price consumers pay...

EPA us making nearly $2 million in grants available to coastal and Great Lakes states to improve monitoring and public notification of human health risks at beaches.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... "For the first time, we are making federal funds available to states specifically to help protect public health at the nation's beaches," said Whitman. "A third of all Americans visit our coasts every year. Consistent monitoring for bacterial...

Massive tunnel project underway in Georgia.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2001... A $113-million contract was awarded recently by Cobb County, Georgia to joint-venture contractor Gilbert/Healy LP for the construction of the Chattahoochee Tunnel. The Robbins Company (Solon, Ohio) is supplying two tunnel boring machines (TBMs)...

Contract awarded for Central Texas Turnpike.
July 1, 2001... A $65-million contract to provide program management, design oversight, and construction management services for the exclusive development agreement portions of the Central Texas Turnpike project (CTTP) has been awarded to HDR, Inc. (Omaha,...

Link to equipment database will help owners and insurers identify and recover stolen heavy equipment.
July 1, 2001... National Equipment Register (NER), a new database of lost and stolen heavy construction equipment, will be linked to ISO ClaimSearch[R], the insurance industry's all-claims database operated by Insurance Services Office, Inc. (ISO), both...