Public Works articles from July 2006

Public Works archives from July 2006

It's never enough ...(Headworks Editorial)
July 1, 2006... We were mad as hell and taking no prisoners. Twenty-some residents of La Grange, Ill., a Chicago suburb of 16,000 residents, gathered in the village hall's basement and fired questions at village leaders. The issue? The village had erected...

APWA salutes noteworthy projects.(AWARDS)
July 1, 2006... With its 2006 Project of the Year Awards, the American Public Works Association (APWA) has recognized projects that demonstrate management and administration excellence, and collaboration among managing agencies, contractors, and consultants....

Trendsetter nominations.(News & Views)
July 1, 2006... PUBLIC WORKS magazine is now accepting nominations for the 2006 Trendsetters list. Trendsetters are public works professionals who, in the past year, have made an impact in their community, in legislation, across the nation, and in people's...

EPA sets final rule.(News & Views)
July 1, 2006... The U.S. EPA has established tighter emission limits for large municipal waste combustors. The new limits--which are an updated version of limits set in 1995--apply to facilities that burn more than 250 tons of municipal solid waste per day....

ESRI maps out annual conference.(MEETINGS)(Calendar)
July 1, 2006... The 26th annual Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) International User Conference will be held Aug. 7-11 in San Diego. The conference will allow both new and experienced ESRI software users to attend technical workshops, exhibits,...

Recycling rates escalate.(OPERATIONS)
July 1, 2006... The 2006 "State of Garbage In America Report" found that Americans recycle 28.5%-or 110.4 million tons--of their trash each year. The study--conducted by the Earth Engineering Center of Columbia University in New York City and Bio-Cycle,...

Infrastructure Solutions Summit.(News & Views)
July 1, 2006... The Civil Engineering Forum for Innovation (CEFI) hosted the Infrastructure Solutions Summit April 25-26 in Washington, D.C. The summit--which had a theme of "Moving from Awareness to Action"--focused on the nationwide decline of infrastructure...

Wastewater managers speak out.(RESEARCH)
July 1, 2006... According to a survey conducted by the Government Accountability Office, wastewater treatment facilities require more federal funding and direction. Of the 206 facility managers surveyed, 102 recommended an increase in federal funding. Facility...

Bottleneck-battling bridge opens.(DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION)
July 1, 2006... After six years of construction, the Woodrow Wilson Bridge was opened to traffic on June 9. The $2.4 billion project is 7 1/2 miles long and spans the Potomac River, connecting Maryland and Virginia. The original bridge--which was recognized as...

World Water Center launched.(News & Views)
July 1, 2006... Marilynn Deane Mendell--the Water Chair of the Washington, D.C., Rotary--initiated the World Water Center, an independent, non-partisan, charitable organization that rates and provides information about water projects worldwide. The center...

Correction.(Correction notice)
July 1, 2006... The "Creative contracting" story beginning on page 54 of the June issue incorrectly identified the key players in the Better Jacksonville (Fla.) Plan. On page 54, the two pictured are Dave Schneider (left), senior program manager, department of...

Get a grip on new equipment.(MEETINGS)(Calendar)
July 1, 2006... The International Construction and Utility Equipment Exposition (ICUEE) show will be held Oct. 16-18, 2007, in Louisville, Ky. The show includes displays of new products, hands-on equipment demonstrations, and seminars. The exposition aims to...

Microfiltration market skyrockets.(RESEARCH)
July 1, 2006... A study conducted by Wellesley, Mass.-based BCC Research found that the global market for microfiltration membranes used in liquid separations was $792 million in 2005; at an average annual growth rate of 9.4%, the market is estimated to reach...

Letters to the editor.(News & Views)(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2006... Thank you for the story about Bill Kappel and his approach to getting along with elected officials (May, page 20). The story does well to identify the less than honorable and unprofessional conduct of many elected officials vis-a-vis public...

Engineering awards presented.(AWARDS)
July 1, 2006... The American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) held its annual Engineering Excellence Awards Gala in Washington, D.C., on May 2. The awards recognize achievements among private engineering firms. Awards were presented to firms who...

Tips and trends in work truck safety.(Ideas & Opinions / Fleets)
July 1, 2006... Truck safety is a matter of life and death. That's why equipment inspections and safety training should be regular tasks in the routine of every well-run public works fleet. In Evanston, Ill., city officials write equipment training into...

Joint venture: partnering with an AEC firm is second nature for public works departments.(Special report)
July 1, 2006... Even with rising oil prices the devastation of hurricanes Rita and Katrina, and rising inflation rates, the level and scope of public works projects completed did not change in 2005. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Many municipalities need help...

Proof positive: full-scale test load study confirms bridge's readiness for light rail.(Bridges & culverts)
July 1, 2006... A recent study of Seattle's Interstate 90 floating bridge proved the feasibility of adding a light rail transit system atop the structure. The exercise went beyond the typical analytical study, involving a full-scale load test to ensure that...

Let it rain: rain gardens gain in popularity.(Erosion control)
July 1, 2006... Faced with increasing requirements and costs related to stormwater management, a growing number of public works departments are turning to rain gardens to manage runoff. Because properly designed and constructed rain gardens can be beautiful...

City park design: urban park revitalizes Southern California landscape.(Parks & recreation)
July 1, 2006... As urbanization continues to change the character of city centers across the United States, the need intensifies for "green" respite from the hectic pace of urban life. Approaches to designing parks and other open spaces are as diverse as the...

A capitol idea: Washington, D.C., takes an interactive approach to traffic calming.(Traffic control)
July 1, 2006... Addressing the needs of traffic calming is more than a democratic process in Washington, D.C. "It is a true interactive process that yields results," said Ann Simpson-Mason, neighborhood transportation planning manager in the Transportation...

Transfer station 101: the ins and outs of running a tight ship.(Solid waste collection & disposal)
July 1, 2006... The average American produces more than 4 pounds of solid waste each day. As the population of our cities and towns increases, the pile of solid waste they generate gets higher and higher. Unfortunately, the amount of space available in...

Bird control sound device.(PW Solutions / Products)
July 1, 2006... The Ultrason X is an outdoor ultrasonic bird control device that can be used to repel birds from parking lots, parks, and other buildings. The device is equipped with a control box and four directional speakers, each with 100 feet of wire. The...

Garlic pest repellant.(PW Solutions / Products)
July 1, 2006... When mixed with water, Garlic Barrier is a natural repellant ideal for parks and other outdoor public areas. It is safe to use around people and animals. The product effectively repels insects, deer, rabbits, birds, and geese. One gallon of the...

Small-animal traps.(PW Solutions / Products)
July 1, 2006... These small-animal traps have 3/16-inch steel frames with 16-gauge 1/2x1-inch wire mesh. Measuring 18x6x7 inches, the Mighty Mite model weighs 3 pounds and is ideal for catching squirrels, chipmunks, and rats. At 5 pounds, the Tuffy model is...

Animal repelling granules.(PW Solutions / Products)
July 1, 2006... Mole Out granules deter moles from tunneling through parks, gardens, and golf courses. The mole's potential food sources are coated with the product, causing indigestion in the animal. The 5-pound container covers 2500 square feet, and the...

Gas cannons.(PW Solutions / Products)
July 1, 2006... Scare-Away liquid propane gas cannons repel birds and other animals from fields, golf courses, ponds, parks, landfills, and a variety of other areas. The device produces loud booms at irregular intervals that disperse any animals in the...

Geese repellant.(PW Solutions / Products)
July 1, 2006... FlightControl PLUS treats areas where geese are a nuisance or pose a hazard to humans, such as parks, paths, and golf courses. The odorless, waterproof product causes indigestion in geese and stops them from feeding in the particular area. The...

Bird deterrent.(PW Solutions / Products)
July 1, 2006... Bird Slope is an anti-perching and anti-roosting device. Made of ultraviolet protected PVC, It is designed to prevent birds from landing on 90-degree ledges and eaves. The slope comes in 2-foot segments; one box contains 50 feet of slope...

Repellant.(PW Solutions / Products)
July 1, 2006... GERI is a repellant that is effective against squirrels, rats, birds, insects, and a variety of scavenging animals when sprayed in areas needing protection. The product is available as a white powder, which is 99% active, or as a 25% active...

Stormwater catch basin with filters.(PW Solutions / Products)
July 1, 2006... To reduce pollutants, flat-grated and combination curb-grated catch basins can be retrofitted with EnviroSafe filter systems. The co-polymer basins provide 7 cubic feet of storage and are fitted with filter cartridges, minimizing pollutants in...

Asphalt compactors.(PW Solutions / Products)
July 1, 2006... ULTRA-PAC high-frequency vibratory asphalt compactors are used for mainline paving applications. The machines are equipped with liquid-cooled Kubota 46-hp diesel engines. The DD-28HF model has an operating weight of 6354 pounds with a drum...

Self-priming centrifugal pumps.(PW Solutions / Products)
July 1, 2006... 150SP series self-priming pumps can be used for load and fill sprayer applications. A variety of models is available, including hydraulic drive, frame mount, and magnetic clutch; each is offered in clockwise and counterclockwise rotation. The...

Snow removal trucks.(PW Solutions / Products)
July 1, 2006... The T800 truck, equipped with a front engine power take-off option, is ideal for snowplow, municipal dump, mixer, refuse, and crane applications. The short-hood truck has a front-frame extension that accommodates front-mounted equipment. The...

Ultrafiltration modules.(PW Solutions / Products)
July 1, 2006... The Liqui-Flux 12-inch ultrafiltration membrane module is designed for drinking water filtration, municipal or industrial wastewater treatment, and pretreatment of water for reverse osmosis. The module is equipped with a hydrophilic...

Mid-size pavers.(PW Solutions / Products)
July 1, 2006... The 814-2 is a self-propelled asphalt paver ideal for repair or resurfacing projects on secondary roads. The paver is equipped with UNIMAT 2 screed extensions that are hydraulically powered and allow paving width to be altered while in use....

Air sampling system.(PW Solutions / Products)
July 1, 2006... This environmental sampling unit--featuring an Xgard detector--senses toxic gases such as chlorine and sulfur dioxide. The unit's electric fan transmits air through a sampling pipe and into the chamber. The system is ideal for testing air in...

Double-wall tank.(PW Solutions / Products)
July 1, 2006... The double-wall design of this tank reduces the possibility of chemical spills and cross contamination. The heavy dome and sidewalls prevent dome collapse. The tanks are made of molded high-density crosslinked polyethylene or FDA compliant...

Grapple trucks.(PW Solutions / Products)
July 1, 2006... The DL3 Lightning Loader is designed to handle collection operations following hurricanes and other storms, and also can be used for regular cleanup purposes. The dump body is 45 cubic yards; the boom is 20 feet and features an anti-scalping...

Street sweepers.(PW Solutions / Products)
July 1, 2006... The 4000 series mechanical sweeper features a 240-hp Cummins turbocharged diesel engine. The hopper, which is available in stainless steel, is 5.6 cubic yards. Sweeping speeds can be as low as 1/4 mph, and travel speeds can exceed 55 mph. The...

Post pulling plates.(PW Solutions / Products)
July 1, 2006... Post pulling plates are ideal for fence post removal. The steel plates are 1/2 inch thick. The small plates are designed to remove contractor stakes, u-posts, t-posts, chain-link posts, and corner posts. The large plates can remove wooden posts...

Hooklifts.(PW Solutions / Products)
July 1, 2006... With adjustable pressure controls, the four hooklifts in the Flex36 series can lift 9000 to 16,000 pounds, depending on the gross vehicle weight rating of the chassis. The hooklifts are compatible with cab to axle measurements of 60, 84, 108,...

GIS software.(PW Solutions / Products)
July 1, 2006... BlockviewGIS software allows information from a specific location to be organized and shared on a network. This management system is useful to city and county agencies specializing in road maintenance. The system is divided into two panels; one...

Gas flow meters.(PW Solutions / Products)
July 1, 2006... The RWG and RWBG wafer-style vortex flow meters measure small vortices formed by media moving across pipe struts. There are no moving parts within the loop-powered meters. Both models are equipped with an internal resistance temperature...

Stump cutter/mower.(PW Solutions / Products)
July 1, 2006... The C130/C140 crawlers are designed to ride over rough terrain and cut through dense underbrush and stumps. The two-speed crawlers are operated by joystick and are powered by 130-hp Deutz or 140-hp John Deere engines. The cabs are equipped with...

PW forum answers to vexing questions.(Interview)
July 1, 2006... 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...

Stay ahead of the curve.(Out of the Ordinary Conferences)
July 1, 2006... I think it is fair to state that the sheer scope and complexity of our chosen profession is both its finest attribute and biggest challenge. Name another career choice that encompasses so much--storm-water, traffic calming, right of way...