Public Works articles from March 2002

Public Works archives from March 2002

Editorial Viewpoint.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Public works practices get mainstream media attention in a winter that began with heavy snows in some areas and then saw record-breaking warm temperatures. Over the Christmas and NewYear's holiday weeks, many print and broadcast media outlets...

Mayors of U.S. cities have applauded President George W. Bush's announcement that he will ask Congress to approve $35 billion in new assistance for local and state homeland security efforts. (Washington Report).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... The proposed assistance is part of a $37.7 billion package for homeland security to help cities pay for equipment and training for police, fire, and emergency workers. The proposal, which would more than double current federal spending...

Another funding issue, a potential 30 percent cut in federal highway funding, is far from resolved. (Washington Report).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... John Horsley, executive director of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), said the expected $9.1 billion cut in fiscal 2003 funding results from a provision in the Transportation Equity Act for the...

The National Association of Counties has reported that local public health departments are ill-prepared to counteract chemical or biological attacks against the public because of insufficient funding and staff. (Washington Report).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... NACo President Javier Gonzales released a recent survey conducted by the group, which found that less than 10 percent of the county health officials who responded said they felt "fully prepared" to handle a bioterrorist attack and less than...

The U.S. EPA reportedly was close to a deal with manufacturers of pressure treated wood that would allow continued use of arsenic-based wood preservatives. Such treated wood is commonly used in park projects. (Washington Report).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Under the deal, EPA reportedly would drop its ongoing risk assessment of chromated copper arsenic (CGA), one of the major wood preservatives, in exchange for a phase-out of certain residential uses of the chemical, commonly used in wood...

The National League of Cities has warned municipalities that their radio licenses for police, fire, and public service operations could be canceled if they do not respond to a current Federal Communications Commission (FCC) notice. (Washington Report).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 1, 2002... FCC's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB) is auditing the status of all the Private Land Mobile Radio (PLMR) stations licensed on frequencies below 512 MHz. The purpose of the audit is to update and increase the accuracy of the FCC's...

OSHA has established a new rule that it says contains simpler, easier-to-follow requirements for tracking workplace injuries and illnesses for 1.4 million employers. (Washington Report).(Occupational Safety and Health Administration)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... OSHA Administrator John Henshaw said, "The new record-keeping system is easier for employers to understand, better protects employee privacy in sensitive cases, and will yield more accurate injury and illness data. The new OSHA forms are...

Large cured-in-place liner installed. (Engineering Notes).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 1, 2002... Environmental Pipeliners Company, Inc. (Dublin, Ohio) recently completed the cured-in-place lining portion of the $770,000 Wastewater Treatment Plant Influent Line and Diversion Chamber Rehabilitation project for the city of Middletown, Ohio....

Projects to reduce phosphorus levels in Lake Okeechobee. (Engineering Notes).(Berryman and Henigar gets engineering oversight contract from South Florida Water Management District)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) has awarded a $300,000, three-year contract to Berryman & Henigar (San Diego, California) for engineering oversight of phosphorus-reduction projects funded under SFWMD's 2000 Phosphorus Source...

Consultant to perform transportation corridor study. (Engineering Notes).(Parsons Brinckeroff receives contract from Miami-Dade Metropolitan Planning Organization, Florida)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... The Miami-Dade Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) has selected Parsons Brinckerhoff (New York, New York) to perform a Miami-Miami Beach transportation corridor study (Bay Link project). The study area extends from downtown Miami...

Soil-cement test section of Bonny Dam turns 50. (Engineering Notes).
March 1, 2002... The Bonny Dam Soil-Cement Test Section for Earth Dam Facings was placed in 1951, on the bank of the South Fork of the Republican River near the Kansas-Colorado state line, about two-thirds of a mile upstream from Bonny Dam. Designers hoped...

Caltrans to build new headquarters. (Engineering Notes).(California Department of Transportation)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Leighton and Associates (Irvine, California), as a member of the design/build team led by Clarke Construction, has been awarded a contract with the California Department of Transportation District 7 to provide services for construction of the...

Engineering firm to collaborate with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. (Engineering Notes).(Earth Tech gets contract for evaluation and design improvements at Gary, Indiana, wastewater treatment plant)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 1, 2002... Earth Tech (Long Beach, California) will provide engineering design services to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Chicago District and the Gary, Indiana Sanitary District for evaluation and design improvements at the Gary Wastewater Treatment...

Large scale intelligent transportation system under design. (Engineering Notes).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Black & Veatch (Kansas City, Missouri) is designing in the Kansas City metropolitan area one of the largest single initial deployments of an intelligent transportation system (ITS) in the U.S. The Kansas City (KG) Scout is a joint ITS...

Maintaining a construction equipment fleet: Efficiency and Organization. (Cover Article).
March 1, 2002... Efficient construction equipment fleet management consists of several interdependent characteristics that form a cycle. Modern fleet managers must successfully and continuously execute each component of the cycle to assure proper fleet...

Surveying tools aid: Sign inventory and GASB 34 compliance. (Surveying Data Input).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... High tech equipment r and state-of-the-art data collection and analysis techniques are being used to inventory all traffic signs along 75 miles of arterial roadway in Orange County, California. The data can be overlaid with an existing GIS and...

Big technology helps small communities increase: Surveying productivity.(Statistical Data Included)
March 1, 2002... Scenic Wisconsin Rapids (population 18,000) nestles along the Wisconsin River in central Wisconsin. It experiences the typical issues of small-town growth--shrinking budgets, staff shortages, and accepting change. As city surveyor Dick Malak...

Decision Support Systems facilitate: Complicated water resources planning. (Water Planning).(San Diego, California, develops water plan)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
March 1, 2002... The city of San Diego faces a long-term water supply challenge. The series of local reservoirs that it owns and operates are only capable of supplying about 10 to 15 percent of the water that the city needs. To supplement this, San Diego...

Record-breaking tank receives record-breaking: Reservoir cover.(Tetra Tech/KCM Inc. designs water reservoir cover for Alderwood Water and Wastewater District)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... The Alderwood Water and Wastewater District recently topped off its one-time record-breaking reservoir with the world's largest circular water reservoir cover. Formed in 1931, the district serves the southern part of Snohomish County in...

HDPE pipeline helps: Transport stored groundwater.(Kern Water Bank installs pipepline)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 1, 2002... Contrary to popular belief, California does not suffer from a chronic water shortage. It is a misperception based on a hydrologic cycle characterized by periods of drought sandwiched between "wet" years. In fact, the amount of excess moisture...

Cities and Public venues rely on: Street sanitation equipment.(pollution control issues related to street cleaning equipment)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Maintaining and improving quality of life is a major factor in public work's planning. One element of quality of life is attractive, clean neighborhoods. Budgeting for street sanitation means justifying the expense of equipment and manpower by...

Wetlands protection and municipal growth: A delicate balance.
March 1, 2002... In 1996, fast growing Walton County in the panhandle of Florida, began developing plans for building a New Town Center that would include the Coastal Branch Library, Sout Walton High School, an arts center, the Walton County Chamber of...

Costly sewer system expansion depends on: Reliable I/I Data.(inflow/infiltration)(Rochester, Minnesota)
March 1, 2002... Rochester, Minnesota was faced with an expensive sanitary sewer infrastructure investment plan, but was unsure of the reliability of some of the data the plan was based on. The city would turn to leading-edge technologies to secure reliable...

PW update: Information Technology.(tips on browsing the Environmental Protection Agency's Web site, U.S.)
March 1, 2002... Browsing the U.S. Environ mental Protection Agency's Web site. For people working to get the job done, the Internet's advantages range from e-mail discussion lists where you can get quick peer advice in difficult situations, to reference...

Vegetation blankets. (Equipment & Services).(advertisement)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Futerra[R] vegetation blankets weigh 50 percent less than excelsior blankets yet they absorb three times the amount of water, promoting quicker seed germination, says the company. Futerra combines wood fiber and crimped, interlocking synthetic...

Biodegradable filtration system. (Equipment & Services).(advertisement)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... SedimentSTOP[TM] biodegradable filtration system provides erosion and sediment loss protection on active job-sites, forming a 50-ft long sediment control barrier. Adaptable to a wide variety of applications, SedimentSTOP is particularly useful...

New retaining wall system. (Equipment & Services).(advertisement)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Mosaic[R] retaining wall systems are aesthetically appealing with their random pattern of three different sized retaining wall units: one Standard, one Gobble[R], and two Accent[R]. Mosaic walls are available in various colors, and are built...

Erosion control products. (Equipment & Services).(advertisement)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... This company offers a full line of biodegradable erosion control fiber blankets and permanent geosynthetic turf reinforcement mats, including PYRAMAT[TM], a high performance permanent erosion and reinforcement matrix. For rivers, channels, and...

Revetment systems. (Equipment & Services).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... This firm offers a variety of solutions for your hard armor erosion control needs. The cellular concrete block revetment systems are custom-designed for your specific project. They come in open and closed cell, various sizes and weights, and...

Rolled Erosion control products. (Equipment & Services).
March 1, 2002... Enkamat[R] turf reinforcement mat is a three-dimensional nylon matrix. As the roots grow, they become entwined within the Enkamat, making a stable cover. Its tough root-reinforcing system anchors vegetation and protects against hydraulic lift...

Erosion Function Apparatus. (Equipment & Services).(Humboldt Manufacturing's HM-4000 Erosion Function Apparatus)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... The HM-4000 Erosion Function Apparatus was designed and built to measure the erodibility of soils and soft rocks. "Used in conjunction with the new SRICOS scour prediction method, the HM-4000 can provide more accurate erodibility measurements...

Swimming pool renovation. (Equipment & Services).(advertisement)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... For over a decade, this company has been renovating and revitalizing commercial swimming facilities. A 60-mil reinforced PVC liner is installed inside the existing structure, making it watertight, slip resistant, and easy to maintain. The...

Pipe cleaning nozzles & cleaning. (Equipment & Services).(advertisement)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... This firm specializes in high performance pipe cleaning nozzles and cutters from 3 to 36 in. in diameter. All products are said to offer the user cost-effective and efficient alternatives to conventional methods of restoring the host pipe to...

Trench shields and shores. (Equipment & Services).(Efficiency Production)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Circle the appropriate number on the Reader Reply Card to learn about this firm's trench shields and shoring systems. It will be exhibiting its systems at ConExpo (booth N-1237). Its exhibit will feature a unique design incorporating the...

Road wideners. (Equipment & Services).(Midland Machinery's Millennium line)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... The new Millennium line of road wideners includes both single- and double-sided, self-propelled units available in 8- and 10-ft paving widths. Curved spreader blades add strength and provide smoother finishes. The double-sided discharge models...

Safer school zones. (Equipment & Services).(Hall Signs' SpeedView informational radar signage)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... "The SpeedView informational radar signage reduces speeding without tying up an officer to issue citations." The super bright LED sign employs an "approach only" traffic radar that eliminates false speeds generated by opposing direction...

Reversible plate compactor. (Equipment & Services).(Campaction America's BPH80/65S)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... With hydraulic travel and vibration control, high compactive performance, and a low center of gravity and operating height, the BPH80/65S remote-operated reversible plate compactor is designed to deliver optimum results on both granular and...

Traffic stops and bumps. (Equipment & Services).(SelecTech Inc's SelecStops and SelecBumps)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Durable and lightweight, SelecStops traffic stops (shown) and SelecBumps traffic bumps are made of recycled polyethylene and mixed plastic, and require only one person to install. SelecStops are available in yellow, white, blue, or gray....

Spray injection patcher. (Equipment & Services).(Rosco Manufacturing's RA-300)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... The RA-300 truck-mounted spray injection patcher with "Patch-on-the-Go" option includes two power options: a single-engine vehicle and a unit with an auxiliary engine. The auxiliary engine unit has separate engines for the transmission and...

Critically Silenced pumps. (Equipment & Services).
March 1, 2002... The Critically Silenced enclosure houses the versatile Dri-Prime(r) CD range and HL range pumps. The Critically Silenced unit is intended for use in any application where pumping is required and engine and other noise must be kept to a minimum....

Surface planer. (Equipment & Services).
March 1, 2002... The SP8/G Series II surface planer is available with a complete line of tungsten carbide insert flails and lower cost, steel-type flails fabricated from Alloy X. Use it for milling mis-aligned sidewalks and joints, removing thermoplastic and...

Full line of lowbed trailers. (Equipment & Services).
March 1, 2002... These lowbed trailers "combine today's lighter weight materials with sophisticated engineering and manufacturing techniques to accommodate greater payloads while complying with strict GVWR regulations." Trailer series include the Ultima, [TM],...

IceAlert roadside reflectors warn motorists. (Equipment & Services).(Bluestar Specialty Products)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... IceAlert roadside reflectors warn motorists of possible icy conditions by changing color from white to blue as temperatures approach freezing. The 6-in, diameter, highly-reflective IceAlert bolts onto standard delineator posts. The operating...

Big truck grill guard features heavy gauge steel tubing. (Equipment & Services).(Go Industries' Big Tex)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... The Big Tex grill guard is described as the biggest truck grill guard on the market. It features 14-gauge steel tubing, extra front-end protection from road debris and off-road brush, light tabs for auxiliary lighting, and heavy-duty rubber...

Compact utility loader. (Equipment & Services).(Toro's Dingom TX 425 Wide Track)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... The Dingom[R] TX 425 Wide Track compact utility loader boasts increased horsepower, enhanced ground to track contact for maximum ground engaging power and low ground pressure, and is designed to handle a variety of landscapes and...

Advanced pavement software. (Equipment & Services).
March 1, 2002... SpectraPave[TM] software was developed to support the analysis and design of flexible pavements and unpaved roads. Introducing SpectraPave2, used with the Spectra Pavement system, it now adds a Subgrade Improvement "Cost Analysis" and a more...

Power sprayers. (Equipment & Services).
March 1, 2002... This new line of power sprayer skids and trailers for such applications as tree and landscape spraying, pest control, and remote landscape watering, can easily be configured for deicing/anti-icing. The skid models fit easily between the wheel...

Rubber-Tracked loader. (Equipment & Services).
March 1, 2002... The RC-50 is a mid-sized loader whose rubber-track system provides more traction, more power, more digging ability, greater load retention, and greater durability than the same size wheeled skid-steer, says its manufacturer. The RC-50 has a...

Pipe and cable locators. (Equipment & Services).
March 1, 2002... This firm's pipe and cable locators include the PL-920 (shown) and the PL-2000. The PL-920 has an analog meter on the receiver and an output meter on the transmitter; both provide signal strength and a battery check. The PL-2000 has 5...

Snow/Dirt V-plows for skid-steers. (Equipment & Services).
March 1, 2002... These V-plows for use with skid-steer loaders are available in 65- or 90-in. moldboard widths for working in both snow and dirt. They adapt to virtually any position--V, scoop, angle, or straight (or anything in between)--quickly and easily....

Combination aeration system. (Equipment & Services).(Red Valve Company Inc. advertisement)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... This combination aeration system consists of this company's Tideflex[R] TF-A coarse bubble diffuser and Tubeflex fine bubble diffuser. The system is said to provide optimum oxygenation and mixing characteristics with minimal power requirements....

4-Wheel drive loader/backhoe features heavy-duty lift arms. (Equipment & Services).(Ingersoll Equipment Company Inc. advertisement)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... The new 7020LBH is a compact 4-wheel drive tractor designed and built from the ground up as a dedicated loader/backhoe. Engineered as an integral part of the tractor and frame, the loader has heavy-duty lift arms with a reinforced bucket for...

Portable gas monitor for multiple gases. (Equipment & Services).(Enmet Corp. advertisement)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... The Target personal multi-gas monitor can be supplied with sensors for up to six gases, including broad-range toxic, % LEL combustibles and electrochemical cells for GO, [H.sub.2]S, [CI.sub.2], [SO.sub.2], NO, [NO.sub.2], HCN, HCI, [NH.sub.3],...

Marking flags. (Equipment & Services).
March 1, 2002... Both custom printed and plain marking flags are offered by this company in weather resistant, 4-mil plastic. Flag sizes include 2-1/2 in. by 3-1/2 in., 4 in. by 5 in., 5 in. by 6 in., and 5 in. by 8 in. Staff lengths range from 15 to 36 in. in...

Hot-Mix sample divider. (Equipment & Services).
March 1, 2002... Designed to handle large samples required in Superpave specifications, the Quartermaster Asphalt Mix Sample Divider safely and accurately divides any hot-mix asphalt sample for quality control analysis. Field samples of 120 lb or more are...

Worth telling.(news briefs for pollution control, construction, engineering industries)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... * Robert H. Anderson & Associates (St. Charles, Illinois) has added two new senior project managers to its Transportation Group: Matt Gauntt, P.E., P.T.O.E., who will manage transportation and traffic projects, and John Ritchie, P.E., S.E., who...

Legal aspects of Public Works.(couple sue city of Dallas, Texas for sewage flood in their home)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Proving nuisance in a sew age flood situation. The opinion of the Court of Appeals, Fifth District of Texas at Dallas, in the case of James and Charlotte Jennings, Appellants vs. City of Dallas, Appellee, stated in part: "In this summary...