Public Works articles from March 2006

Public Works archives from March 2006

Wild ideas.(Editorial)
March 1, 2006... When the highway bill (SAFETEA-LU) finally passed last summer, some believed--perhaps naively--the federal government was at last providing sufficient funding for America's highways. That, unfortunately, was not the case. The American Road and...

ARTBA names task force chairs.(News & Views)
March 1, 2006... Tom Hill, chief executive of Washington, D.C.-headquartered Old-castle Materials Inc., and Paul A. Yarossi, president of HNTB Holdings Ltd., New York City, have been named co-chairs of the American Road and Transportation Builders Association's...

U.S. mayors recognize public-private partnerships.(News & Views)
March 1, 2006... In January, the U.S. Conference of Mayors saluted a number of companies and municipalities for working together in various arrangements to the betterment of their constituents and clients. The recipients of this year's Outstanding Achievement...

E-waste initiative launched.(News & Views)
March 1, 2006... The National Center for Electronics Recycling, Davisville, W.Va., and Arlington, Va.-based Consumer Electronics Association have formed a new initiative to help foster a uniform e-waste recycling plan across the country. The National...

Home water treatment growing.(News & Views)
March 1, 2006... Increased global awareness about the quality of drinking water has propelled expansion in the residential water treatment equipment market, according to a study by Palo Alto, Calif.-based Frost & Sullivan. According to the report, every fourth...

Desal cheaper than pipeline in California.(News & Views)
March 1, 2006... Officials in southern San Luis Obispo County, Calif., are looking at desalination plants to ensure a steady water supply into the future. The cities of Arroyo Grande and Grover Beach and the Oceano Community Services District weighed two...

SWANA to conduct residential waste survey.(News & Views)
March 1, 2006... The Solid Waste Association of North America's Applied Research Foundation will conduct a study that will provide performance and economic data on residential waste collection services in the United States and Canada. The study, titled "The...

EPA releases watershed handbook.(News & Views)
March 1, 2006... The EPA's Office of Water has published a guide to watershed management as a tool in developing and implementing watershed plans. The draft of Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect Our Waters is aimed toward...

Web site tracks pipeline.(News & Views)
March 1, 2006... A new Web site--www.cbcwater authority.com--gives Wisconsin residents the chance to learn about the 65-mile pipeline stretching from Manitowoc to six communities in Brown County. The site includes construction progress, maps of the pipeline...

Directory of non-hazardous waste sites.(News & Views)(Directory)
March 1, 2006... Waste Business Journal has released The Directory & Atlas of Non-Hazardous Waste Sites, a publication with detailed information on the operations of landfills, waste-to-energy plants, materials recovery facilities, construction and demolition...

Snow conference scheduled.(News & Views)
March 1, 2006... The 2006 American Public Works Association North American Snow Conference will be held April 30-May 3 in Peoria, III. The program will feature exhibitors showing off the latest snow/ice removal products and technology, technical tours, general...

Drinking water symposium announced.(News & Views)
March 1, 2006... NSF International, the International Life Sciences Institute, and World Health Organization are joining to present an International Symposium on Health Aspects of Calcium and Magnesium in Drinking Water April 24-26 in Baltimore. Sessions will...

2006 safety conference announced.(News & Views)
March 1, 2006... The American Society of Safety Engineers' Professional Development Conference and Exposition, Safety 2006, will be held June 11-14 in Seattle. The conference, with a focus on occupational safety, health, and the environment, will feature more...

Portland named America's cleanest city.(COMMUNITY)
March 1, 2006... According to a recent survey, residents of Portland, Ore., live in the cleanest city in the United States. Reader's Digest editors scored each of America's 50 largest cities on air quality, water quality, industrial pollution (toxics),...

Maine highway marks design-build achievement.(DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION)
March 1, 2006... The recently opened Interstate 295/Commercial Street Connector in Portland, Maine, is a first-of-its-kind project that could lead to statewide benefits. This $25 million project--which links the Outer Congress Street Exit of I-295 with West...

Highway construction costs soar.(DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION)
March 1, 2006... The cost of highway construction materials has increased by 22% in the past two years, according to a recent association analysis. According to an analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data by the American Road and Transportation Builders...

New York City constructs third water tunnel.(DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION)
March 1, 2006... The Big Apple started a big project in February--construction of a third New York City water tunnel. Construction on the water tunnels--which will provide potable water to four of New York City's boroughs--began in the 1960s and is scheduled to...

EPA 'Climate Leaders' program expands.(OPERATIONS)
March 1, 2006... The EPA has added the first water utility--Voorhees, N.J.-based American Water--to join its Climate Leaders program. Launched in 2002, Climate Leaders is an industry-government partnership geared toward developing long-term, comprehensive...

Atlanta opens wastewater tunnel.(OPERATIONS)
March 1, 2006... Atlanta's Department of Watershed Management started 2006 off by marking the completion of its Nancy Creek Tunnel. The 8.3-mile long tunnel, designed to store and transport wastewater to Atlanta's R.M. Clayton Water Reclamation Center, met the...

Wastewater facility garners award.(AWARDS)
March 1, 2006... The Lititz, Pa., Sewer Authority has been awarded the U.S. EPA Region III Operations and Maintenance (O & M) Excellence Award in the Medium Size Advanced Wastewater Treatment category. This is the second time Lititz has won the award, presented...

Landscape architect mentor program announced.(PEOPLE)
March 1, 2006... The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) has joined the Achievement and Commitment to Excellence (ACE) Mentor Program of America as a national sponsor and partner. ASLA will work with the ACE program to introduce high school students...

Letters to the editor.(News & Views)(Letter to the editor)
March 1, 2006... I enjoyed your editorial in the January 2006 issue. You have hit the nail directly on the head. I am all for rebuilding New Orleans one more time; the only caveat is the project must take place at least 200 miles inland, otherwise they are on...

Understanding contract documents.(Ideas & Opinions)
March 1, 2006... The American Society of Civil Engineers' (ASCE) 2005 Report Card for America's Infrastructure gave the nation a cumulative grade of "D" based on the condition of several public works categories. To alleviate these problems, ASCE "estimates an...

How much are you worth? Compare your salary to others in PW.(Special report)(Cover story)
March 1, 2006... "I don't get paid enough to deal with this kind of headache." "I could definitely make more money if I took my talents elsewhere." "Working for the government doesn't earn me the respect or the money I deserve." Sound familiar?...

Picking the perfect pipe: selecting the right material for your job and budget.(Pipeline construction & maintenance)
March 1, 2006... It would be nice if specifying pipe were as simple as buying a pair of shoes--walk into a store to pick out the style you like and take it home. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Unfortunately, there are a lot more...

Asphalt versus concrete: which material is better for your project?(Pavement construction & maintenance)
March 1, 2006... The debate goes on: Which is better, concrete or asphalt? While there is no cut-and-dried answer, a smart public works official will consider the following questions before selecting a material for the next road project: Which pavement option...

Are your rates correct? Collection and disposal rate studies are a valuable tool.(Solid waste collection & disposal)
March 1, 2006... At last week's city commission meeting, the mayor and several River City commissioners grilled you on the city's rising costs of providing solid waste collection service. Why wasn't the city able to track its costs more closely? Were costs in...

Building the budgeting process: setting up equipment replacement budgets.(Fleet management/maintenance)
March 1, 2006... As in many cities, Houston's equipment replacement process is far from ideal. The city has an equipment acquisition fund of $22 million for fiscal year 2006, but funding levels go up and down yearly, according to the availability of money. So...

Keep the customer satisfied: high-tech solutions mesh with traditional methods for fielding requests.(Constituent relations)
March 1, 2006... Public works departments spend considerable resources handling requests from constituents--answering questions, fulfilling service orders, resolving complaints. To streamline the process, more and more agencies are implementing sophisticated...

Down to a science: total nitrogen removal simplified.(Wastewater treatment)
March 1, 2006... Future permit limits are a genuine concern for those in wastewater treatment--especially total nitrogen (TN) limits. Most forecasters predict TN limits will be cut from the current 5 to 10 mg/L range down to somewhere around 3 mg/L. However, TN...

Biting back: how to craft an integrated mosquito control program.(Grounds maintenance)
March 1, 2006... Winter and early spring are ideal times to evaluate past mosquito control efforts, or to develop or fine-tune a program. Mosquitoes ruin outdoor activities and chase away potential revenue; they also carry life-threatening diseases. For...

Field of dreams: disabled youth play baseball in new park.(Parks & recreation)
March 1, 2006... A blind girl now believes she can go to college because she can hit a ball. A boy confined to a wheelchair can play like his older brother. A dad fulfills his dream of coaching his son's team. This can-do attitude comes from adaptive baseball...

Sliplining installed without a hiccup.(Products Solving Problems)
March 1, 2006... After years of watching contractors install centrifugally cast, fiberglass-reinforced, polymer mortar (CCFRPM) pipes in trenchless projects, the San Antonio Water System (SAWS) decided to do some installing themselves. A public utility...

Riding the rail.(Products Solving Problems)
March 1, 2006... A 60-inch-diameter, welded-steel pipe typically is not the type of utility buried 19 feet under the road median at the end of your driveway. It's the creation of the Point of the Mountain Aqueduct (POMA), a job that involves installation of...

V-box spreader.(Featuring: Snow and ice control)
March 1, 2006... The V-Maxx 8500 bulk spreader is a V-box unit with a capacity of 2 cubic yards. Designed for use with pickups having beds 8 feet or longer, the product has a multi-angle hopper, inverted V salt/sand baffle, and attached vibrator to allow for...

Stainless steel plow.(Featuring: Snow and ice control)
March 1, 2006... XBLADE snowplows--offered in 8- and 9-foot lengths--are constructed of corrosion-resistant stainless steel. Each plow features a 12-gauge stainless steel moldboard and powder-coated steel structure for optimal rust resistance. The 31-inch blade...

Web-based plow management.(Featuring: Snow and ice control)
March 1, 2006... This Web-based snowplow management module offers users a simple, automated tool based on a geographic information system. It helps save total plowing time by enabling agencies to track salt spreading and plowing operations. In addition, it can...

Radiant heating control.(Featuring: Snow and ice control)
March 1, 2006... The company has introduced control panels for use with its electric radiant heating products. Designed for use on parking lots, driveways, and other areas, the RSMCK panels provide up to 200 amps of power for use with snow and ice sensors on...

Hydrostatic snow clearing.(Featuring: Snow and ice control)
March 1, 2006... The SW 48HY hydrostatic snow-clearing vehicle offers favorable traction and power for optimal performance in tough conditions. Features include hydrostatic drive, which gives the machine a higher degree of maneuverability than similar vehicles....

Tailgate spreader.(Featuring: Snow and ice control)
March 1, 2006... The Model 500 low-profile tailgate spreader is designed to fit on compact pickups and sport utility vehicles with a Class III trailer hitch. The durably polyethylene hopper holds up to 5 cubic feet of material, weighing up to 225 pounds....

Liquid deicer.(Featuring: Snow and ice control)
March 1, 2006... FreezGard is a magnesium chloride brine that flows freely at cold temperatures. It can be applied before a storm or after plowing to prevent ice and snowpack, and it also can be used during and after a storm to treat sand and road salt keeping...

Industrial snowblower.(Featuring: Snow and ice control)
March 1, 2006... The Great White series of snowblowers offers heavy-duty performance for use on highways, access roads, residential streets, and other areas. Features include solid construction, simple fingertip control from the cab, load sensing, and a minimal...

Ice control sprayers.(Featuring: Snow and ice control)
March 1, 2006... Turbo Turf ice control sprayers--suitable for parking lots, streets, sidewalks, driveways, and other surfaces--offer a range of spray patterns, including fan, straight, and extender nozzles that enable users to spray up to three lanes at once....

Steel-moldboard plow.(Featuring: Snow and ice control)
March 1, 2006... The Snowtamer plow features a moldboard constructed of 10-gauge, rollformed steel. It has a full-moldboard trip, accomplished with two compression springs. The cutting edge--measuring 1/2 inch by 6 inches--is manufactured of 1080 steel with a...

Pavement coring.(Featuring: Snow and ice control)
March 1, 2006... This pavement coring and reinstatement process combines a heavy-duty rotary coring unit--Minicor--with the company's Utilibond bonding compound for permanently replacing keyholes in all types of paved roads and sidewalks. It enables the user to...

Vehicle oil analysis.(Featuring: Snow and ice control)
March 1, 2006... The 4-in-1 oil analysis kit enables fleet managers to obtain information about the particle count, water content, and viscosity of a vehicle's oil, helping to determine when maintenance is required, maximize vehicle life, and reduce overall...

Compact asphalt roller.(Featuring: Snow and ice control)
March 1, 2006... The CR270 is a 35.4-inch-wide compact vibratory asphalt roller. It offers high-frequency vibration at 4000 vibrations per minute for maximum productivity. It achieves 10 impacts per foot at 4.55 mph ground speed to achieve specified density...

Recycled waterproofing system.(Featuring: Snow and ice control)
March 1, 2006... Made with 25% recycled content, Turbo-Seal rubberized asphalt is infused with special adhesives for all types of waterproofing and injection grouting. Upon contact with water, the cold-applied, self-healing material forms a gel that expands and...

Self-leveling catch basin.(Featuring: Snow and ice control)
March 1, 2006... The self-leveling catch basin has a frame supported by the street's foundation. The conventional concrete structure is replaced by a one-piece, high-density polyethylene pipe designed to prevent water and granular infiltration. The smooth...

Easy-to-assemble trench drain.(Featuring: Snow and ice control)
March 1, 2006... The T1400 Proformer polypropylene trench drain system is acid resistant and lightweight for easy handling. It features a rigid body with a support board and rebar tiedown clips every 10 feet to secure the body in place during concrete pours....

Split seals.(Featuring: Snow and ice control)
March 1, 2006... Used in water and wastewater applications, these split seals increase uptime and reduce maintenance costs by speeding installation (taking less than 30 minutes to put in place) and by improving reliability; the products can operate for up to...

Edge-forming tool.(Featuring: Snow and ice control)
March 1, 2006... The Shoulder Wedge Maker shapes the edge of a hot-mix mat on shoulderless roads. The simple device mounts on the screed extension face against the end gate of any brand of asphalt paver. It is designed to develop a 30-degree slope off the edge...

Paint striper.(Featuring: Snow and ice control)
March 1, 2006... The redesigned Rollmaster paint striper incorporates an adjustable pump spring tension that speeds priming and compensates for any pump hose wear. The economical machine can apply mandated low volatile organic compound traffic paints...

Erosion-control blanket.(Featuring: Snow and ice control)
March 1, 2006... Flexterra flexible growth medium is a hydraulically applied blanket that offers better protection on slopes than rolled erosion-control blankets or bonded fiber matrix products, while delivering faster installation and lower cost. It can be...

Little water warriors.(Technology)
March 1, 2006... After the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, water department managers became keenly aware of their facilities' vulnerability. Since then, they have put in place a range of measures, from physical features protecting buildings to tests that detect the...

Information overload.(Headworks)
March 22, 2006... I get a ton of mail every day, which surprises me since postal rates increased dramatically earlier this year. I actually had our mailroom supervisor weigh it for me the other day--9 pounds. You may wonder what on earth I receive via mail each...

Professional & trade associations & government agencies.(Directory)
March 22, 2006... Associations--General American Council of Independent Laboratories (ACIL) 1629 K St NW #400 Washington DC 20006 202-887-5872 www.acil.org American Galvanizers Association (AGA) 6881 S Holly Circle Ste 108 ...

Industry calendar.(Calendar)
March 22, 2006... 2006 June American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) Safety 2006 Annual Conference & Exposition June 11-14 Seattle www.asse.org American Water Works Association Annual Conference and Exposition--ACE06 June...

Bridges & culverts.(Directory)
March 22, 2006... BEARING PADS American Biltrite D.S. Brown Pipe Supports Inc Voss Engineering Inc WILLDAN BRIDGE COATINGS Andek Corp ASTC Polymers Capital Services Joint Systems Carboline Co CHLOR RID...

Durability by design: the advantages of using neoprene pads on bridges.(Bridges & culverts)
March 22, 2006... Neoprene bearing pads are commonly used in bridges due to their durability, simple details, and maintenance-free qualities. Neoprene pads are a subset of elastomeric bearings that includes both neoprene and natural rubber pads. First fabricated...

Polymer overlays lengthen bridge life: the effectiveness of polymer surfaces increases the material's popularity.(Bridges & culverts)
March 22, 2006... State DOT engineers in recent years have started to look at the advantages of thin polymer wearing surfaces for bridge deck construction, rehabilitation, and preservation. Originally offered more than two decades ago, polymer bridge overlays...

Construction equipment.(Directory)
March 22, 2006... AIR COMPRESSORS Atlas Copco Compressors Inc Centri Air Precleaner Best-Ex Inc Coilhose Pneumatics Coleman Powermate Con X Equipment Inc DeWalt Industrial Tool Co Draeger Safety Inc 800-615-5503 ...

Power trip: add muscle, performance to your job with the right generator.(Construction equipment)
March 22, 2006... If anyone questioned the importance of having back-up power handy, the abnormal flurry of hurricanes in 2005 provided the answer. Communities throughout the Southeast and Gulf states went days, weeks, even months without power. To complicate...

Lifting chain safety: optimal performance requires the understanding of guidelines and adherence to safety regulations.(Construction equipment)
March 22, 2006... Overhead lifting chain slings are useful tools for various types of overhead lifting operations and are frequently used for material handling in construction and manufacturing. Following industry guidelines is key to optimizing the use of these...

Erosion control.(Directory)
March 22, 2006... EROSION CONTROL FABRICS American Excelsior Co Belton Industries Inc Colbond Inc Contech Construction Products Inc 800-338-1122 www.contech-cpi.com Earth Saver Erosion Control Products 866-928-8537 ...

How to select RECPs: rolled erosion control products can provide temporary or permanent reinforcement.(Erosion control)
March 22, 2006... Land, nature, and weather often challenge site engineers, consultants, agencies, contractors, and other construction professionals. The magnitude of the problem of uncontrolled soil movement by water and wind is often overlooked by those...

Fleets, trucks & accessories.(Directory)
March 22, 2006... AERIAL PLATFORMS, BUCKETS & DERRICKS Altec Industries Inc Armlift, Div of TG Industries Inc Bosch Rexroth Canada Corp Cannon Equipment Cranes & Equipment Corp Flannegan Western Genie Industries Grove...

Optimize your preventive maintenance: five steps to improving a government fleet preventive maintenance program.(Fleets, trucks & accessories)
March 22, 2006... A solid preventive maintenance program can help public works fleet managers keep vehicle repair costs and downtime to a minimum, but an inefficient, poorly designed program can cost time and money. Robert Johnson, fleet management liaison for...

General operations.(Directory)
March 22, 2006... ADA COMPLIANCE PRODUCTS Advance Traffic Markings / Myers Advanced Surfaces Inc Alamo Concrete Pavers Capital Services Joint Systems Detectable Warning Systems Inc 866-999-7452 www.detectable-warning.com ...

The next generation of public works: designing and implementing a succession plan.(General operations)
March 22, 2006... The most pressing issue facing public works departments is the shrinking pool of talent from which to draw the workforce of the future. National demographics and workforce trends have caused human resources (HR) professionals and public sector...

Parks & recreation.(Directory)
March 22, 2006... AQUATIC WEED AND TRASH REMOVAL Alpha Boats Unlimited Applied Biochemists Diverse Specialties Inc IMS Inc Midwest Rake Co SePRO Corp Specialty Diving SRS Crisafulli Inc United Marine Intl BEACH...

Making urban forestry thrive: success depends on collecting data, tapping resources, and gaining public support.(Parks & recreation)
March 22, 2006... An urban forest is the sum of all trees on public and private land in a given municipality. The management of an urban forest rests on the same general requirements as that of a "traditional" forest--water, space, nutrition, and sunlight. ...

Pavement construction & maintenance.(Directory)
March 22, 2006... ADMIXTURES, ACCELERATORS ABC Redi Mix Axim Concrete Technologies Inc Concrete Producers Solutions Concrete Solutions Inc Conspec Degussa Admixtures Inc (Master Builders) Degussa Building Systems Euclid...

Repair or replacement? A detailed pavement management plan can save money down the road.(Pavement construction & maintenance)
March 22, 2006... Pavement maintenance on city streets, county roads, and arterial highways typically is conducted on a case-by-case, season-by-season basis, with roadway managers assessing needs as they are dictated by current roadway surface conditions. This...

Is soil-cement right for you? The low-cost alternative for long-lasting pavements.(Pavement construction & maintenance)
March 22, 2006... A good road or pavement requires a good foundation. The pavement base provides the thickness and stiffness necessary to support traffic and provide long-term performance. Stabilized pavement bases, such as soil-cement and cement-treated...

Porous pavements move stormwater efficiently: alternative stormwater management systems are earth-friendly and affordable.(Pavement construction & maintenance)
March 22, 2006... Porous asphalt pavements with stone recharge beds are rapidly gaining popularity as major components of a stormwater management system. During a storm, water drains through an open-graded asphalt mix into a stone infiltration bed, which...

Pipe installation, maintenance & rehabilitation.(Directory)
March 22, 2006... AIR TESTING Cherne Industries Inc ENMET Corp Enviro-Tech Services Co Heath Consultants Inc Industrial Scientific Corp 800-338-3287 www.indsci.com Lansas Products Mfg by Vanderlans and Sons Inc Pacific...

Evaluating lifetime pumping costs: how to perform life-cycle analyses for a forced system.(Pipe installation, maintenance & rehabilitation)
March 22, 2006... There are many costs associated with the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of a pipeline. To make the best use of our dwindling public works dollars, all of these costs must be considered. Reports show that the nation's...

Roadside & grounds maintenance.(Directory)
March 22, 2006... AERATORS BlueBird Intl Inc Classen Mfg Inc Fuerst An Alamo Group Co Grasshopper Co 620-345-8621 www.grasshoppermower.com Jacobsen, a Textron Co Otterbine Barebo Inc Trackless Vehicles Ltd ...

Setting the groundwork: how to spruce up grounds maintenance operations.(Roadside & grounds maintenance)
March 22, 2006... Imagine one of your town's residents sitting on a bench in a local park in beautiful weather. Bikers glide by, and the cheery banter of pedestrians can be heard. The resident notices the vibrant turf, clean patios, and a kaleidoscope of colors...

Snow & ice control.(Directory)
March 22, 2006... ANTI-ICING APPLICATION SYSTEMS Earth Friendly Chemicals Epoke North America Inc Flink Co 815-673-4321 www.flinkco.com Force America Inc 888-993-6723 www.forceamerica.com H.H. Hooper Machinery Co ...

Fighting winter storms: a GIS approach to snow management.(Snow & ice control)
March 22, 2006... Over the past two decades, the evolution of geographic information systems (GIS) has helped a growing number of public works and transportation agencies improve efficiencies and identify potential problems in services delivered to citizens. GIS...

Solid waste collection & disposal.(Directory)
March 22, 2006... AIR CLASSIFIERS CES Landtec Netzsch Inc AIR STRIPPERS AEROMIX Systems Inc ASBESTOS ABATEMENT Dustcontrol by Transmatic Eagle Industries Nilfisk-Advance America Inc Pacific Environmental Services, a...

Should you automate? Automation helps keep the lid on refuse collection costs.(Solid waste collection & disposal)
March 22, 2006... Collection of solid waste and recyclables accounts for an average of 50% of municipal solid waste (MSW) management system costs. This typically represents the single largest percentage of MSW management budgets, according to a study by the...