Public Works articles from May 2003

Public Works archives from May 2003

Liberty Trees to honor our armed forces. (Editorial Viewpoint).
May 1, 2003... In colonial times, early patriots in every town, village, and hamlet designated a tree as their Liberty Tree. These trees came to symbolize freedom, and so many were cut down by British troops to undermine morale, but the spirit of freedom...

Best tasting tap water in the sunshine state. (Editorial Viewpoint).
May 1, 2003... The Florida Section of the American Water Works Association (FSAWWA) recently named the city of North Miami Beach's tap water the best tasting water in Florida, at the first annual State of Florida Best Tasting Tap Water Contest held in...

New species of primate discovered at treatment plant. (Editorial Viewpoint).
May 1, 2003... Researchers recently determined that fossils, found at a city of San Diego Water Department construction site last fall, belong to a primate group in existence 45 million years ago. The discovery occurred as contractors tunneled along the north...

Leaders of the house transportation and infrastructure committee are considering means to boost the nation's funding for highways and transit projects from the $218 billion in the current six-year period to $375 billion over the next six years. (Washington Report).
May 1, 2003... Committee Chairman Don Young (R-Alaska) said, "The single largest obstacle to transportation and economic efficiency is congestion. Traffic congestion costs the U.S. more than $67 billion annually--more than 3.6 billion hours in delays and 5.7...

At a House highways, transit, and pipelines subcommittee hearing, transportation officials discussed the need for increased investment in highway and mass transit systems. (Washington Report).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... The hearing was one in a series on reauthorization of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21). Subcommittee chairman Tom Petri (R-Wisconsin), said, "For every $1 billion invested in federal highway and transit spending,...

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and the American Automobile Association (AAA) report that their survey has found 95 percent of Americans think traffic congestion has worsened, or has not improved, during the past three years. (Washington Report).
May 1, 2003... APTA and AAA said 92 percent of those surveyed think it is either very important (71 percent) or somewhat important (21 percent) for their community to have both good roads and viable alternatives to driving. The two groups sponsored the...

The surface transportation policy project said Americans also want more federal funding to benefit pedestrians. (Washington Report).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... It said a survey found that if given a choice between walking more and driving more, 55 percent of adults chose walking. The poll found overwhelming support for spending to reduce dangers for pedestrians. A majority (68 percent) favored putting...

Five national organizations have urged congress to earmark $9 billion in the fiscal 2003 supplemental spending bill for the homeland security needs of focal and state governments. (Washington Report).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... The request came from the National League of Cities, the National Conference of State Legislatures, the National Association of Counties, the Council of State Governments, and International City/County Management Association. NLC President...

Representatives Don Young CR-Alaska) and John Duncan, Jr. (R-Tenn.), who chairs the house water resources and environment subcommittee, have introduced a bill authorizing $20 billion for wastewater infrastructure over five years. (Washington Report).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Wastewater groups have warned of a projected $9 to $12 billion annual funding shortfall. Young said, "We are not investing enough in our wastewater treatment infrastructure to ensure that we will continue to keep our waters clean. Nearly...

Diving inspection work underway. (Engineering Notes).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... Boswell Underwater Engineering (BUE), the marine engineering division of Boswell Engineering (South Hackensack, New Jersey), was recently awarded two contracts by the Port Authority of New York and NewJersey (PANY&NJ). The contracts involve...

Test track provides data on asphalt mixes and more. (Engineering Notes).
May 1, 2003... The team at the National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT) recently completed an intensive, two-year test at the NCAT test track in Auburn, Alabama. Six days a week, four tractors pulled triple-trailer assemblies around a track at a speed of...

European excavation system comes to the Midwest. (Engineering Notes).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... The following information was provided by Dan Williamson, Slide Rail Product Specialist, GME (www.gmeshields.com), Union City, Michigan. When Kreager Brothers Excavating bid for the excavation work at Fort Wayne, Indiana's Midwest Waste...

Membrane filtration slated for treatment plant. (Engineering Notes).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... New Brunswick, New Jersey will implement a state-of-the-art membrane filtration system at its water treatment plant. The plant was built in the late 1800s and has undergone various major upgrades and renovations in the past 20 years, keeping...

City to inventory its infrastructure. (Engineering Notes).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... St. Charles, Missouri, recently selected Woolpert LLP (Dayton, Ohio) to prepare its infrastructure inventory, topographic mapping, digital orthophotography, and survey control network. The consultant will conduct a complete field inventory...

Web-based application improves: asset management. (Cover Article).
May 1, 2003... Miles of while sand "" Dozens of reports and hotels. Thousands of visitors a year. And a diverse population and economy all situated in the nation's 11th largest municipality. Honolulu is no longer the sleepy whaling stopover of yesteryear. It...

Overcoming design and construction challenges for Texas landfill.
May 1, 2003... The Arlington landfill is located at the corner of Mosier Valley Road and FM 157 in Arlington, Texas. Like many landfills in the area, it is located along the Trinity River in an area historically mined for gravel. The landfill was originally...

Lower emissions refuse trucks help preserve air quality.
May 1, 2003... When you are running trucks in a city as congested and concerned with air quality as Los Angeles, you cannot be too careful about emissions. No one knows this better than Jim Bonnville, director of fleet services, General Services, for the...

Worker safety incorporates herbicide handling tips.
May 1, 2003... Most vegetation management personnel are well aware of OSHA, sicne the department's mission is to establish and enforce protective standards that save lives, prevent injuries, and protect the health of workers. However, beyond these policies,...

Machines put to the test for collecting roadside litter.
May 1, 2003... The amount of litter and debris along Pennsylvania's roadways was growing, and state authorities decided that the highway system needed to do more to get rid of it. Along with that decision had come about $3 million in funding for equipment to...

Park is home to beautiful, powerfully affecting Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
May 1, 2003... Two decades in the making, the Massachusetts Vietnam Veterans Memorial is approaching the one-year anniversary of its weekend-long dedication ceremony held last June. Senator John Kerry joined a host of federal, state, and municipal officials,...

Former mine becomes crown jewel of Parks program.
May 1, 2003... A diamond in the rough, a 770-acre former sand and gravel mine has become the crown jewel of the West Des Moines Parks program, Raccoon River Park. Thanks to the extraordinary vision of the West Des Moines Parks and Recreation Department...

Customer service guide neighborhood sewer renewal efforts.
May 1, 2003... Greater Houston is a Texas-sized city, and since the late 1980s it has been wrestling with a Texas-sized problem. Benefiting from direct access to the Gulf of Mexico, the city of Houston--Currently the nation's fourth-largest--has experienced...

Protecting water quality: a regional strategy.
May 1, 2003... Erath County, located about 60 miles southwest of Fort Worth along a tributary of the Brazos River, is one of the largest milk producing areas in Texas. The dairies are vital to the local economy, generating more than $200 million in milk sales...

Contractor uses water blasting for complex concrete restoration project.
May 1, 2003... The Nansemond and VIP Treatment Plant Concrete Coating Repairs project, performed on a sewage treatment plant owned by Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) in Virginia, was a complex, multi-faceted job involving three distinct components:...

Product spotlight: data and asset management software.
May 1, 2003... ADS Environmental Services 5030 Bradford Dr., Bldg. 1, Ste. 210 Huntsville, AL 35805 Tel 256 430-3366 www.pwmag.com/adsenv For FREE LITERATURE Circle No. 501 on Reply Card ARCHIDUS, Inc. 100 Franklin St. Boston, MA 02110...

Caterpillar rolls out new track-type tractors in Arizona. (New Products).
May 1, 2003... Earlier this year, at its Tinaja Hills proving grounds in the Tucson desert, Caterpillar, Inc. (Peoria, Illinois) introduced the D5N and D6N track-type tractors. The new machines retain the strengths of their predecessor models, the D5M and...

In March, we visited the World of Asphalt show in Nashville, Tennessee, and checked out what's new in asphalt compactors. (PW Update: Equipment).
May 1, 2003... We were not disappointed. A number of manufacturers have recently introduced new models and features. The World of Asphalt is sponsored by the Asphalt Pavement Alliance, which is made up of the Asphalt Institute, the National Asphalt Pavement...

Pumps & more for rent. (Product Showcase).
May 1, 2003... This company combines its full line of rental pumps, pipe, liquid storage tanks, spill control, and filtration systems into creative solutions for your temporary liquid/solids handling problems. The company offers turnkey system design, 24-7...

Aluminum Shield. (Product Showcase).
May 1, 2003... Alum-A-Shield is a lightweight corrugated single-wall aluminum shield with interchangeable hydraulic telescoping QuickBraces as spreaders or static spreaders. Features include horizontal waler along panels for maximum depth rating, and...

Installing C900 PVC pipe. (Product Showcase).
May 1, 2003... A growing number of water utilities are installing C900 PVC pipe the trenchless way, avoiding extensive excavations and reducing surface damage and the disruption it causes. The quality and versatility of this company's C900/RJ[TM] PVC pipe...

Shallow-design lift. (Product Showcase).
May 1, 2003... The new MOD30[TM] lift cuts the need for deep excavation. "It cuts extensive concrete work. It cuts expensive engineering and site prep. And that can cut installation expenses by as much as 50 percent." For more information and for a free...

Water/Gas Valve riser. (Product Showcase).
May 1, 2003... The Water/Gas Valve compression riser reduces costs and streamlines the adjusting of utilities to the new grade when paving a road. Its special compression design ensures a pressed in bearing fit when installed, enabling installation before...

Tee-base manholes. (Product Showcase).
May 1, 2003... HOBAS tee-base manholes provide push-together, leak-free couplings with the company's centrifugally-cast, fiberglass-reinforced, polymer mortar pipe. Like the pipe, the manholes are lightweight and inherently corrosion resistant without linings...

Snow chain system. (Product Showcase).
May 1, 2003... The Rotogrip automatic snow chain system enables drivers to have the security of snow chains without the hassles. Simply flip a switch on the dashboard, and the chain wheels lower and engage the inner sidewalls of the rear tires. Up to 18...

Sound-reducing enclosure. (Product Showcase).
May 1, 2003... The modular sound-attenuating Silent Knight[R] Canopy is said to be perfect for public works applications where sound is of concern. It can reduce sound at or below 70 decibels. The detachable canopy features heavy-duty construction and is...

Tap live water mains. (Product Showcase).
May 1, 2003... Crews have found a better way to tap live water mains with these Pre-Tap Collars, says its manufacturer, saving you time and money during the labor intensive tapping operation. Place the collar around the main. When you are ready to install the...

Concrete fence. (Product Showcase).
May 1, 2003... "As demand increases for higher fences, Superior-Fence[TM] becomes an attractive, durable, and cost-effective solution." It is an integrally-colored precast concrete fence offered in heights to 16 ft. The company says it is a better value than...

CCTV inspection system. (Product Showcase).
May 1, 2003... The P600 is an all-inclusive, single person operation CCTV inspection system for 4- to 18-in, diameter lines. Features: automatic (synchronized) motorized drum with 650 ft of cable; steerable 4/6-wheel drive tractor; powered forward, reverse,...

Manhole riser specialists. (Product Showcase).
May 1, 2003... Keep your traffic moving and the spec books covered--raise your lids up to grade with strong, tight-fitting rings that install in minutes and lock down. "We fabricate 12 different models from 3/4 in. Special needs? Our engineers will work with...

Safety barriers. (Product Showcase).
May 1, 2003... These lightweight safety barriers store and transport easily. One person can move the empty barriers. Two people can easily setup over 200 ft in under 30 minutes. When filled with water, the barrier weighs up to 1,000 lb. "They are the only...

Stormwater treatment. (Product Showcase).
May 1, 2003... The Vortechs stormwater treatment system treats up to 10 times the flow of internal bypass systems, removing sediment, hydrocarbons, and debris--the pollutants targeted by most stormwater regulations. Its EPA award-winning design provides an...

Handheld GPS mapping. (Product Showcase).
May 1, 2003... The GS20 sub-meter handheld GPS mapping system boasts Bluetooth cable-free real-time data correction capability. Featuring an intuitive cell phone-styled keypad, graphical map display, and Windows-style interface, the GS20 combines the...

New Wood Hog. (Product Showcase).
May 1, 2003... The Model 3600 Wood Hog has been completely re-engineered to meet the needs for a compact, affordable mobile grinder. The machine has been shortened significantly and the weight reduced by over 12,000 lb. The new grinder is equipped with the...

Residuals management services. (Product Showcase).
May 1, 2003... "Synagro, a national leader in the management of municipal and industrial water and wastewater treatment residuals, is one of the country's largest and fastest growing residuals management companies." Services include Class A biosolids programs...

Reclamation/milling attachment. (Product Showcase).
May 1, 2003... The AZ-200 reclamation/milling attachment for skid steers is a compact unit with the punch of a heavyweight, thanks to its 71-hp diesel engine and other features. "With one machine you're now able to do full depth reclamation, trenching,...

Vacuum excavators. (Product Showcase).
May 1, 2003... VaXcavator[R] vacuum excavation systems offer a choice of blowers with 500 to 850 cfm airflow, 30- to 59-hp water-cooled diesel engines, 3,000 to 4,000 psi @ 4 gpm high-pressure water systems, and up to 1,200-gal holding tanks. Available...

Pipe and cable locator. (Product Showcase).
May 1, 2003... The PL-2000 is a multi-frequency, multi-function, digital locator. It is easy to use, low cost, and offers digital LCD and sound output, push button depth measurement, and lower frequencies for better "staying on target." "We repair and support...

Concrete dispenser. (Product Showcase).
May 1, 2003... This mobile concrete dispenser is "saving city, county, and state agencies time and money while improving quality." Municipalities are able to do multiple pours with no wasted concrete, and best of all the concrete is fresh. "For most...

Storm drain Markers. (Product Showcase).
May 1, 2003... The das Curb Marker[R] can be permanently applied to curbs (top or face), sidewalks, or almost any flat surface. Stock titles, custom sizes, shapes, and colors are available. Replace messy paint and stencils, says the company. Permanently mark...

Pothole patcher. (Product Showcase).
May 1, 2003... The new dry radiant heat Pro-Patch pothole patcher is a combination heater and dispenser that heats asphalt emulsion oils and pre-mixed hot or cold asphalt aggregates to elevated temperatures for easy onsite applications. A one- or two-person...

Quiet pumps. (Product Showcase).
May 1, 2003... With sound levels as low as 64dBA at 30 ft, Critically Silenced pumps are designed for applications requiring minimal noise. The units house the company's Dri-Prime [R] pump available in 3- to 12-in, sizes. The acoustically silenced enclosure...

Trenchless clean-out system. (Product Showcase).
May 1, 2003... The VAC-A-TEE trenchless clean-out system's benefits and features include quick clean-out installation, no damaged utilities/landscaping, remotely installed, no spoils to remove, quick and easy process, no service interruption, and minimal...

Stormwater treatment. (Product Showcase).
May 1, 2003... "Installed under impervious areas and great for retrofit projects, BaySaver[R] separation systems cost-effectively remove pollution from stormwater runoff." BaySaver collects and stores oils, suspended solids, trash, and debris in an off-line...

Pipe detention system software. (Product Showcase).
May 1, 2003... This association recently updated its interactive software for detention system design using concrete pipe to include metric units. Called DASH-Detention and Sewer Hydraulics, Version 2.01 also provides the tools needed for multiple outlets in...

Aluminized pipe. (Product Showcase).
May 1, 2003... Corrugated steel pipe, manufactured from AK Steel aluminized steel Type 2, offers the corrosion resistance and surface characteristics of aluminum with the strength and economy of corrugated steel pipe. It is durable, practical, and a...

Vacuum sewer system. (Product Showcase).
May 1, 2003... This company's system approach to vacuum sewer projects offers a complete package of services including project layouts, budget estimates, design assistance, construction supervision, and operator training. The company manufactures and supplies...

Rotary lobe pump. (Product Showcase).
May 1, 2003... The Rotoflo self-priming rotary lobe pump is said to be perfect for groundwater and well-point dewatering applications. The rotary lobe eliminates the need for pistons and valves, and can be maintained on-site with ease. Rotoflo features lower...

Trenchless pipe rehab. (Product Showcase).
May 1, 2003... "Ultraliner PVC Alloy Pipeliner is a tough, tight-fitting liner that has extremely high impact strength, a high degree of dimensional stability, exceptional abrasion and chemical resistance, and the essential ability to relieve high levels of...

Wireless GPS+ system. (Product Showcase).
May 1, 2003... The new HiPer+ is described as the world's first cable-free, dual-constellation GPS+ rover. Used with the company's new FC-1000 or compatible data collector, HiPer+ makes precision GPS surveying virtually automatic. GPS+ is the company's...

Precast buildings. (Product Showcase).
May 1, 2003... "Easi-Span[R] precast concrete buildings are the right buildings to choose when it comes to public works facilities." The structure shown serves as an operations building at a wastewater treatment plant. "The city decided to use an Easi-Span...

Beast Recycler. (Product Showcase).
May 1, 2003... Beast Recyclers break down materials that are difficult to process through conventional grinders. "Brush, whole trees, palms, leaves, railroad ties, telephone poles, C&D, asphalt, shingles, and more pose no problem." Use the reduced materials...

Gravelpave2 system. (Product Showcase).
May 1, 2003... The Chicago Department of Environment and the city Department of Transportation rebuilt an asphalt alley using a permeable system. The new alley has eliminated formerly chronic flooding without using the sewer system and reduced the heat island...

Hooklift automatic tarper. (Product Showcase).
May 1, 2003... The HR 1500H Tuff-Tarper is an automatic tarping system that utilizes the truck's existing hydraulics. Its hydraulic gantry adjusts from 60 to 96 in. Other features include: direct drive hydraulic motor; flow diverter, PRV, and cover control...

"Enterprise Security". (Product Showcase).
May 1, 2003... Enterprise Security is a new addition to the MaintStar CMMS system. This optional module is applicable to multiple departments and multiple location site installations. Now you can have different groups view only the work orders or inventory...

Trench shields & shores. (Product Showcase).
May 1, 2003... This firm provides a wide selection of standard and custom trenching shield and shoring systems. Steel manhole shields are offered in 3-and 4-sided models that are adjustable and stackable for a wide variety of job requirements. The shields are...

Sound-attenuated pump. (Product Showcase).
May 1, 2003... The 6NCDD 6-in. non-clog sound-attenuated pump is diesel powered and features a double diaphragm pump that can handle 70 cfm of air and maintain a vacuum of 30 in. mercury. The new pumps are environmentally friendly, totally enclosed, and have...

Watershed software. (Product Showcase).
May 1, 2003... Watershed Analyst[TM] is a software tool developed by PBS&J to support more efficient GIS-based stormwater and floodplain modeling. This extension to ESRI's ArcGIS[TM] provides a common platform for the integration of any stormwater or water...

Vacuum excavation. (Product Showcase).
May 1, 2003... This company says it "has brought vacuum excavation down to size with the introduction of its exciting new E-VAG[R] wet/dry model for under $10,000." E-VAC provides flexibility: simply remove four bolts and transform a trailered unit to a skid...

Stormwater solutions. (Product Showcase).
May 1, 2003... The Dandy Bag is designed for use with flat grates (including round) and mountable curbs to filter sediment-laden stormwater. The suspended solids are allowed to settle out of the slowed flow and are captured by the Dandy Bag before entering...

Glass beads for roadways. (Product Showcase).
May 1, 2003... "Potters Industries Inc. is a worldwide manufacturer of glass beads. The single largest use of our products is for highway delineation and guidance systems. Customers rely on us for our VISIBEAD[R] family of products for shine through darkness,...

Retaining walls. (Product Showcase).
May 1, 2003... This firm says its Mesa[R] retaining wall systems combine the economy and versatility of segmental concrete units with proven geogrid technology to create a new generation of structural block walls. The Mesa Systems' positive, mechanical...

Asphalt patcher. (Product Showcase).
May 1, 2003... The Unibelt asphalt patcher is easy to operate, easy to maintain, and fully equipped so you can tackle asphalt patching jobs with one machine. A belt conveyor moves asphalt out of the container for continuous operation. Its insulation keeps...

Versatile work trucks. (Equipment & Service).
May 1, 2003... The L-Line is this firm's blue-collar family of tough, versatile work trucks for waste disposal, construction, and other public works applications. A full lineup of electronic mid-range and big bore diesel engines from 175 to 600 hp is...

Hard-Working trucks. (Equipment & Services).
May 1, 2003... The F-650 and F-750 Super Duty are hard-working Class 6 and Class 7 trucks designed to appeal to municipalities. Three different cab styles, Regular Cab, SuperCab, and Crew Cab are available from the factory, eliminating the need for...

Trucks boast special frame. (Equipment & Service).
May 1, 2003... These waste collection trucks boast a purpose-built frame system that is lightweight, yet said to be exceptionally strong. Other features include easy entry and egress, an integrated powertrain for "unequalled responsiveness," and outstanding...

Heavy-duty truck. (Equipment & Service).
May 1, 2003... This firm says its FL 80 Business Class truck is a great truck for severe-duty operators who demand outstanding value. Custom-building capability lets you order just what you need: pusher and tag axles, frame rail inserts, front PTOs, butterfly...

New engine for Model 320. (Equipment & Service).
May 1, 2003... The Cummins ISL engine is now available for order in Peterbilt's low-cab forward Model 320, a popular choice for refuse and municipal applications. The Cummins ISL is significantly lighter than any other engine in its class, yet provides ample...

Low-entry, tilt cab. (Equipment & Service).
May 1, 2003... The LE-low-entry-tilt cab refuse vehicle features dual steering and a right-side walk-in cab to improve the productivity of workers who collect refuse and recyclables from the curb. The LE series was built from the ground up with input from...

Dependable, strong truck. (Equipment & Services).
May 1, 2003... "We looked at every part of the vocational business from one perspective: Yours. We've created a whole new way for you to own and operate your trucks." The VHD truck is described as a revolutionary advancement for the refuse, construction, and...

Replaces sandbags. (Equipment & Services).
May 1, 2003... The Weight Strip is designed to be used in place of sandbags for weight and hold-down. Made from recycled tires with stainless steel cable for extended life, Weight Strips come in different models for use in adding weight to barricades and sign...

Fast cycling rear loader. (Equipment & Services).
May 1, 2003... The new PT 1000[TM] mid-range rear loader is said to offer the industry's fastest cycle time in its class (15 seconds) and a reload time of just six seconds. "Plus, the PT 1000 combines a best-in-class 3-cu yd hopper with the ability to pack up...

Tipping floor solution. (Equipment & Services).
May 1, 2003... Iron Floors[TM] is an "ultra-durable" iron aggregate flooring system engineered to withstand repetitive traffic, gouging from glass and other jagged material, and aggressive chemicals. The company says Iron Floors last up to eight times longer...

Dependable rear loader. (Equipment & Services).
May 1, 2003... The Alpha[R] rear loader is a medium-compaction, full-eject refuse body said to be ideal for municipalities where high performance and competitive pricing is important. The lightweight body design allows for mounting on less expensive,...

Wheel loaders updated to improve productivity. (Equipment & Services).
May 1, 2003... This company has updated the 966G and 972G wheel loaders to improve productivity, durability, and operator comfort. The C-Series II machines have cleaner, quieter engines, a new high-performance cooling system, numerous environmental...