Public Works articles from June 2003

Public Works archives from June 2003

A leap of faith. (Editorial View Point).
June 1, 2003... All across America, every time someone opens the tap or flushes the toilet or sets their trash by the curb, they take a leap of faith. They simply assume that clean water will flow and the wastes will disappear. They have, usually without...

The Bush administration appears to have dashed hopes for a federal fuel tax increase to fund road programs. (Washington Report).
June 1, 2003... The Bush administration appears to have dashed hopes for a federal fuel tax increase to fund road programs. Representative Don Young (R-Alaska), chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, wants to boost spending for...

The National League of Cities (NLC) has urged Congress to pass a $40 billion economic stimulus package for cities and states to "kick-start" the economy. (Washington Report).
June 1, 2003... The National League of Cities (NLC) has urged Congress to pass a $40 billion economic stimulus package for cities and states to "kick-start" the economy. John DeStefano Jr., New Haven, Connecticut, mayor and NLC president, said, "Federal...

The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) reported in April that states with fiscal years ending June 30 faced a $21.5 billion shortfall in order to comply with their balanced budget requirements. (Washington Report).
June 1, 2003... The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) reported in April that states with fiscal years ending June 30 faced a $21.5 billion shortfall in order to comply with their balanced budget requirements. NCSL President and Oklahoma Senator...

Boston Mayor Thomas Menino also hit on that theme in a talk at the National Press Club in May. (Washington Report).
June 1, 2003... Boston Mayor Thomas Menino also hit on that theme in a talk at the National Press Club in May. Menino, president of the National Conference of Mayors, said America's cities have been hard hit by the weak economy and the costly demands of...

Amtrak has proposed a five-year strategic capital investment and operating plan to restore its physical equipment to good repair and improve operational reliability. (Washington Report).
June 1, 2003... Amtrak has proposed a five-year strategic capital investment and operating plan to restore its physical equipment to good repair and improve operational reliability. The plan focuses on improving the reliability and cost-efficiency of the...

Transportation Department said nearly 80 percent of adult Americans take at least one walk of five minutes or longer during the summer months, while fewer than 30 percent ride a bike. (Washington Report).
June 1, 2003... In a report that bears on the need for recreational public works, the Transportation Department said nearly 80 percent of adult Americans take at least one walk of five minutes or longer during the summer months, while fewer than 30 percent...

DOT also reported traffic fatalities increased 1.7 percent last year to the highest level since 1990. (Washington Report).
June 1, 2003... DOT also reported traffic fatalities increased 1.7 percent last year to the highest level since 1990. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said 42,850 people died on the nation's highways in 2002, up from 42,116 in the...

Environmental groups released a report on Earth Day that said roads need not be a major threat to natural environment and wildlife habitats. (Washington Report).
June 1, 2003... Environmental groups released a report on Earth Day that said roads need not be a major threat to natural environment and wildlife habitats. The paper, by Defenders of Wildlife and the Surface Transportation Policy Project, noted America is...

The American Water Works Association (AWWA) has issued a study that predicts the nation needs to invest $250 billion to replace aging water infrastructure over the next 30 years. (Washington Report).
June 1, 2003... The American Water Works Association (AWWA) has issued a study that predicts the nation needs to invest $250 billion to replace aging water infrastructure over the next 30 years. Jack Hoffbuhr, AWWA executive director, said, "Most utilities in...

The Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA) has issued an outline to help water suppliers comply with the emergency response plan (ERP) requirements of the Bioterrorism Act. (Washington Report).
June 1, 2003... The Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA) has issued an outline to help water suppliers comply with the emergency response plan (ERP) requirements of the Bioterrorism Act. The checklist will help community water systems...

Consultant adds UV disinfection to water treatment facility. (Engineering Notes).
June 1, 2003... Consultant adds UV disinfoction to water treatment facility. Rialto, California-based West Valley Water District has contracted with Black & Veatch (Kansas City, Missouri) to provide pretreatment design in addition to design and implementation...

Trenchless technology project sets world record. (Engineering Notes).
June 1, 2003... Trenchless technology project sets world record. A cured-in-place lateral liner that was inverted 160 ft for the village of Elm Grove, Wisconsin is noteworthy because it was inverted from the mainline into the lateral. The T-Liner[R] from LMK...

ODOT trainers spreading safety. (Engineering Notes).
June 1, 2003... ODOT trainers spreading safety. The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is providing in-depth training to ODOT and other crews to increase the safety of the public and the individuals working among the traffic, reports Ron Poole of ODOT...

Consultant chosen for 1-84 bridge replacement work. (Engineering Notes).
June 1, 2003... Consultant chosen for 1-84 bridge replacement work. Led by its Portland office, HDR (Omaha, NE) will be the lead designer for bridge and roadway services for the replacement of the Lower and Upper Quarry bridges in eastern Oregon. HDR will...

Nebraska Public Power District awards contract. (Engineering Notes).
June 1, 2003... Nebraska Public Power District awards contract. The Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) in Columbus, Nebraska, has awarded a multi-million dollar contract to GE Network Solutions (Atlanta, Georgia) for implementation of the company's...

Correction.
June 1, 2003... In the April 2003 article, "Prosperity and Quality Water: A Model Partnership at Work," the caption for the photo on page 36 is incorrect. It should read: "Community leaders in the Brazos Valley saw that the economic benefits from expansion of...

Effective Work Management: water and wastewater productivity. (Cover Article).
June 1, 2003... R.M. (Bob) Pickett The approximate investment cost in selecting and implementing the CWMS was $3 million. This opportunity was reviewed, validated, and detailed by the Department and used to establish a five-year improvement program--given...

The story behind two award-winning: Covered Bridges.
June 1, 2003... The Lockport Bridge and Fitch's Covered Bridge ere among the winners in the 2002 National Timber Bridge Awards competition. Contest sponsors report that the growing popularity of timber bridges for both pedestrian and vehicular use is due to...

Water distribution system passes with: flying colors.
June 1, 2003... Pipe installers at Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB) are getting a history lesson as they dig up water systems that had been in the ground since the 1940s. The pipes they are replacing were starting to break more often. The service lines...

Single contractor works with multiple: pipeline rehabilitation technologies.
June 1, 2003... Several trenchless technologies permit rehabilitation of aging and damaged water and sewer pipelines with little or no excavation. Trenchiess rehabilitation saves system owners money, and it limits disruption of street traffic and other normal...

Sinkhole causes problems for the Georgia power plant bowen. (Advertisement).
June 1, 2003... At the Georgia power plant bowen in Atlanta, heavy rain and water byproducts from the plants' cooling towers caused the ash site behind the plant to flood. The ash site was a flat piece of land used to collect excess materials produced by...

Community and contractor work together to repair sewer after earthquake.
June 1, 2003... When the earth trembled near Tacoma, Washington, during the Nisqually earthquake in winter 2001, the city escaped nearly unscathed. But one tiny neighborhood took a hard hit--literally. A hillside of mud, trees, rocks, and debris crashed...

PDAs streamline construction management tasks on: Frank Sinatra drive.
June 1, 2003... Large transportation projects are notorious for generating extreme amounts of paperwork. Over the last decade, with the prevalence of computers on the job site, there came an influx of project management and construction management software....

The importance and benefits of: valve and hydrant maintenance.
June 1, 2003... The overall objective of any distribution system maintenance program is the maximum continuous service of equipment and facilities. Best management practices for enhancing distribution system reliability through maintenance include: developing...

Product Spotlight: Pumps.
June 1, 2003... PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: PUMPS Company Pumps, Pumps, Pumps, Centrifugl Dewatering Grinder & Trash ABS Pumps, Inc. ...

How would you like to be able to get all the Long Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) program data you want, all the time? (PW Update: Information Technology).
June 1, 2003... How would you like to be able to get all the Long Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) program data you want, all the time? Well, the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) DataPave program is now available online at www.datapave.com. The Web...

Get up to date on the latest work of the Long Term Pavement Performance. (PW Update: Information Technology).
June 1, 2003... Get up to date on the latest work of the Long Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) program by checking out the new LTPP 2002 Year in Review, now available on the Web at www.tfrc.gov/pavement/Itpp/reports/2002yir.htm. The report outlines the LTPP...

State highway agencies will have the opportunity to discuss their applications of FHWA's Highway Economic Requirements System-State version. (PW Update: Information Technology).
June 1, 2003... State highway agencies will have the opportunity to discuss their applications of FHWA's Highway Economic Requirements System-State version (HERS-ST) software and get answers to questions they may have at HERS-ST Users Group meeting scheduled...

Prestressed concrete tanks. (Featuring: Water Storage).
June 1, 2003... This firm builds only wire-wound prestressed concrete tanks that conform to AWWA Standard D110, Type III. A continuous steel diaphragm embedded in the wall of every tank assures water-tightness and prevents concrete spalling. The tanks are...

Water tank liners. (Featuring: Water Storage).
June 1, 2003... CIM industrial membranes for water tanks and other storage vessels provide a seamless, impermeable barrier against harsh environments, moisture, chemical attack, and abrasion. CIM is applied easily and rapidly using sprayers, squeegees,...

Steel tanks and services. (Featuring: Water Storage).
June 1, 2003... This company supplies field-erected ground and elevated steel tanks as well as the following services: moving/re-erecting, demolition, raising/lowering, inspection/maintenance, emergency response, and engineering. The company can also help...

Wide variety of tanks. (Featuring: Water Storage).
June 1, 2003... This firm offers a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and styles of custom-built prestressed wire-wound concrete water tanks. You can have your tank's outer surface coated in a color of your choice, or retain its natural color. Additionally, you...

Storage reservoir mixing system. (Featuring: Water Storage).
June 1, 2003... The Tideflex[R] mixing system is said to greatly improve the quality of drinking water in finished water storage reservoirs. The system combines Tideflex check valve technology and a piping manifold that can be installed in new or existing...

Durable, low maintenance tanks. (Featuring: Water Storage).
June 1, 2003... A typical circular water storage tank from this company has a flat concrete membrane floor and vertically prestressed cast-in-place walls. The concrete tanks are circumferentially wrapped with seven-wire strand and incorporate a flat two-way...

Glass-lined steel tanks. (Featuring: Water Storage).
June 1, 2003... Aquastore[R] bolted steel water tanks can be pre-engineered for future vertical expansion. Bolted tanks can be erected in remote locations and be designed for relocation. The factory-applied silica glass coating on Aquastore tanks forms a hard,...

Plastic tank covers for water and wastewater storage. (Featuring: Water Storage).
June 1, 2003... These fiberglass-reinforced plastic covers for water and wastewater tanks and reservoir applications contain odors and vapor. They are designed to provide maximum strength at minimum weight, minimum maintenance and operating costs, and...

Financial services for public agencies. (Featuring: Water Storage).
June 1, 2003... This firm provides solutions to the technically complex financial issues faced by public agencies. A multidisciplinary team of senior-level experts evaluates your financial needs, assesses long-term capital and operating costs, identifies...

Maintenance-free panels for wastewater applications. (Featuring: Water Storage).
June 1, 2003... This company supplies maintenance-free pultruded fiberglass panels and structural shapes for wastewater facilities, cooling towers, pollution control systems, and other water/wastewater applications. The company says its pultruded fiberglass...

Unique technology added to parallelogram lifts. (Featuring: Water Storage).
June 1, 2003... These parallelogram lifts have always included such features as heavy-duty mechanical locks, automatic wheel chocks, and built-in lights. But now with the addition of in bay technology, user safety awareness and productivity are said to be...

Generates [CIO.sub.2]. (Featuring: Water Storage).
June 1, 2003... "Akzo Nobel/Eka Chemicals' Purate[R] chemistry and patented SVP-Pure[R] generation system is a safe, cost-effective technology for [CIO.sub.2] production." Successful applications include drinking water and wastewater disinfection. Benefits...

High head pump. (Featuring: Water Storage).
June 1, 2003... The latest addition to the Dri-Prime[R] pump line--the HL160M-- is a single-stage pumpset capable of heads to 600 ft. The 8- by 6-in, unit pumps up to 2,000 gpm and passes up 1-3/8 in diameter solids. Applications include temporary pump station...

Compact tractor/loader/backhoe. (Featuring: Water Storage).
June 1, 2003... The T7 tractor/loader/backhoe with 180-degree swing capability comes standard with a 26-hp Kubota diesel engine, extended reach arms for a dump height of 96 in., high capacity front loader bucket for faster cycle time, center-mount steering,...

Trenchless pipe. (Featuring: Water Storage).
June 1, 2003... This fiberglass-reinforced, polymer mortar pipe "provides inherent corrosion resistance, superior hydraulics, and a long, maintenance-free life." Key applications are sanitary sewers, potable water, and corrosive environments. It is said to be...

Mini hydraulic excavator. (Featuring: Water Storage).
June 1, 2003... The new 304 CR (Compact Radius) mini hydraulic excavator is designed for space-restricted applications. The 36-hp 304 CR weighs 9,896 lb with a cab and 9,786 lb with a canopy. When equipped with the optional long stick, it has a maximum digging...

Electric submersible pumps. (Featuring: Water Storage).
June 1, 2003... The Yellow Submarine electric submersible pump line includes centrifugal, trash, and diaphragm pumps. The CP-20H and CP-30H centrifugal pumps have capacities of 158 and 264 gpm, and a maximum head of 98 and 115 ft, respectively These...

Eliminates lime scale deposits. (Featuring: Water Storage).
June 1, 2003... ScaleBlaster eliminates formation of lime scale deposits in water pipes, faucets, cooling towers, boilers, and heating elements. The integrated circuitry system produces a unique and complex modulating frequency waveform that hits the resonant...

Controls erosion. (Featuring: Water Storage).
June 1, 2003... Conwed Fibers 3000 erosion control system requires no cure time to be effective and combines both mechanical and chemical bonds for increased tensile strength on projects where erosion control blankets are impractical or other mulching methods...

Super abrasive diamond blades. (Featuring: Water Storage).
June 1, 2003... The Sidewinder Blade is designed specifically for the water and sewer industry. It can cut, bevel, and deburr ductile iron and PVC pipe. It is said to outlive 100 conventional abrasive blades, maintain dimensional integrity, be unaffected by...

Compact wheel loaders. (Featuring: Water Storage).
June 1, 2003... The new L20B and L25B compact wheel loaders have respective vertical clearances of 7 ft 11 in. and 8 ft 1 in. The easily and quickly removable cabs allow entry into areas with lower height clearances, with overall widths of 5 ft 4 in. for the...

Permeable ditch berm. (Featuring: Water Storage).
June 1, 2003... The improved GeoRidge[R] permeable ditch berm handles greater velocities and retains sediment better. The berm is made of UV stabilized HDPE and is designed to replace traditional straw bale ditch berms. Applications for the portable,...

Economy ramp trailer. (Featuring: Water Storage).
June 1, 2003... The TE20LR ramp trailer has a 20,000-lb payload capacity with an overall length of 29 ft and main deck length of 19 ft. The five-ft beavertail is self-cleaning for your convenience. There are two 10,000-lb axles with oil seal hubs and electric...

Hard rock thumb. (Featuring: Water Storage).
June 1, 2003... The Claw attachment for excavators can be effectively used with nearly any other attachment. Using the Claw will turn almost any attachment into a grapple. The claw is available in hydraulic or manual versions and is highly compactable. When...

Mid-mount mowers. (Featuring: Water Storage).
June 1, 2003... The 777 and 797 Max-Frame Z-Trak[TM] mowers "combine high horsepower, larger deck options, and zero-turning radius technology, offering operators unmatched power, traction, maneuverability, and productivity for various applications." The 777...

Self-cleaning water filters. (Featuring: Water Storage).
June 1, 2003... This company says its Tekleen[R] automatic filters are maintenance free, operate on water pressure alone, and eliminate the labor of replacing screens, bags, and cartridges. Made with a stainless-steel body, filter sizes range from 1 to 24 in....

New melter. (Featuring: Water Storage).
June 1, 2003... The 60 G melter has been added to the Magma Series[TM] line of melter/applicators. It uses a diesel-fired burner and low maintenance 5.5-hp gasoline engine to power the hydraulic system. The 60 G's transfer oil system heats sealant quickly and...

Barricade system. (Featuring: Water Storage).
June 1, 2003... The new Anchor[TM] barricade is sand fillable, holding up to 90 lb per barricade, and with flush fitting cap. The four in. by four-in, plastic uprights ease into the Anchor base for easy setup and take-down. Other features of the easily...

Lifetime warranty for street sweeper components. (Featuring: Water Storage).
June 1, 2003... This company has introduced a new lifetime stainless steel hopper and water tank warranty on the models 605, 705, 610, and 770 Cyclone street sweepers. Simply specify it in your bid, and it is yours. Also, if specified, the company will provide...

Paver Series meets Tier 2. (Featuring: Water Storage).
June 1, 2003... New, more powerful diesel engines in the new Cedarapids Tier 2 Series payers meet all federal EPA emissions standards. Increased maintenance intervals of up to 500 hours on the Cummins QSB Series engines improve machine uptime, so users can...

Stronger, longer weed control. (Featuring: Water Storage).
June 1, 2003... New Landmark[TM] MP herbicide for bare ground weed control suppresses 113 broadleaf weeds and grasses. The key broadleaf weeds controlled include puncturevine, Canada thistle, Equisetum, perennial pepper-weed, whitetop, yellow starthistle,...

The Federal Environmental Protection Agency. (Legal Aspects).
June 1, 2003... The Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed an expansion of National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit requirements for municipal sanitary collection systems and sanitary sewer overflows. CMOM, which...

Vieni Associates, Inc. (Worth Telling).
June 1, 2003... * Charles Vieni, RE. has opened Vieni Associates, Inc. (www.vieniassociates.com), a multi-service engineering consulting practice based in Claverack, New York. The firm will offer a Snow & Ice School in the fall, including both classroom...

LMK Enterprises Inc. (Worth Telling).
June 1, 2003... * LMK Enterprises Inc. (Ottawa, Illinois) has licensed its T-Liner(r) Lateral pipe renewal process to INSADE Industrias de Saneamientoy Desazolve, S.A. de C.V. (Izcalli, Mexico). The first application of the T-Liner system in Mexico involves a...

Leighton Group, Inc. (Worth Telling).
June 1, 2003... * The County of Los Angeles has selected Leighton Consulting to provide on-call geo technical services for the Department of Public Works. Leighton Consulting is a newly formed subsidiary of Leighton Group, Inc. (Irvine, California) that...

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. (Worth Telling).
June 1, 2003... * Lieutenant General Robert B. flowers, commander and chief of engineers for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, has been honored with a 2003 Outstanding Projects and Leaders (OPAL) award for lifetime contributions in public works. The award was...

LBG-Guyton Associates. (Worth Telling).
June 1, 2003... * Bruce K. Darling has been named manager of a new Lafayette, Louisiana office of LBG-Guyton Associates. The office is located at 920 W. Pinhook Road.

Cummins Inc. (Worth Telling).
June 1, 2003... * Cummins Inc. (Columbus, Indiana) announces that PowerSpec, its Internet application allowing customers to tailor engine operation to fit customer needs and desires, now features enhanced capabilities to read and clear fault codes, collect...

The Portland, Oregon office of Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade & Douglas, Inc. (Worth Telling).
June 1, 2003... * Robin McKnight has been named area manager for the Portland, Oregon office of Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade & Douglas, Inc., the U.S. infrastructure arm of Parsons Brinckerhoff.

Spalding DeDecker Associates, Inc. (Worth Telling).
June 1, 2003... * Paul C. Wade, P.E., senior vice president, has been appointed Detroit office manager for Spalding DeDecker Associates, Inc. (Rochester Hills, Michigan). Also at Spalding DeDecker, Cheryl Gregory, P.E., has been appointed the manager of the...

R.A. Smith & Associates, Inc. (Worth Telling).
June 1, 2003... * Edward Perlberg, Jr. has joined R.A. Smith & Associates, Inc. (Brookfield, Wisconsin) as project manager in the visualization division.

EMA, Inc. (Worth Telling).
June 1, 2003... * At EMA, Inc. (St. Paul, Minnesota), CEO George Mathes has been named chairman of the board.

Leach Company. (Worth Telling).
June 1, 2003... * Bruce Yakley has been promoted to vice president and general manager of Leach Company (Oshkosh, Wisconsin).

WSB & Associates, Inc. (Worth Telling).
June 1, 2003... * Doug Weiszhaar, P.E. has joined WSB & Associates, Inc. (Minneapolis, Minnesota) as vice president of special projects.

Heil Environmental Industries, Ltd. (Worth Telling).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2003... * Michael Jobe has been appointed president of Heil Environmental Industries, Ltd. (Chattanooga, Tennessee).

The City of San Diego Water Department. (Worth Telling).
June 1, 2003... * The City of San Diego Water Department, in coordination with the Engineering and Capital Projects and Wastewater departments, is a winner of the 2002 Magellan Awards Publicity Campaign Competition, sponsored by the League of American...

CONTECH Construction Products Inc. (Worth Telling).
June 1, 2003... * CONTECH Construction Products Inc. (Middletown, Ohio) has upgraded and expanded its Web site by adding several new user-friendly and customer-helpful features. For example, at the top of the home page a visitor can click on different buttons,...

A Koch Materials Company. (Worth Telling).
June 1, 2003... * A Koch Materials Company (Wichita, Kansas) site at Saginaw, Texas became the first asphalt facility to achieve STAR status, under OSHA's Voluntary Protection Program. OSHA officials, as well as Saginaw Mayor Pro-tem Gary Brinkley, honored the...

Leggette, Brashears & Graham, Inc. (Worth Telling).
June 1, 2003... * Alfred Kovalik, P.E., LEP has been appointed president of GROUND WORKS Bridgeport (GWB) for 2003. Kovalik is an associate with Leggette, Brashears & Graham, Inc. (Trumbull, Connecticut). GWB is a local, community-based nonprofit organization...