March 2012, Vol. 67 No. 3

The Kenco Pipe Lift provides an easy, safe and cost effective way to move pipe.

A PowerDigger 3D GPS machine control system from Leica Geosystems enabled a Kentucky contractor to see excavation work underwater by viewing a display screen in the operator’s cab.

CEAttachments, a global supplier of attachments and accessories for compact equipment, announces the addition of all new EDGE Pallet Fork Frame Grapple attachment for skid steer loaders.

Mud mixing systems from KEMTRON, TT Technologies, Triflo Intl., American Augers, Ditch Witch, Vermeer and Mud Technology Intl.

Drilling fluids from M-I SWACO, CETCO, Wyo-Ben, KEMTRON and Baroid Industrial Drilling.

Downhole tools from Ballantine, Vermeer, American Augers, Armadrillco, Melfred Borzall, INROCK, Railhead Underground Products, Sharewell, HammerHead Trenchless Equipment, Ditch Witch and Drillhead Directional.

PipeLine Machinery International (PLM-Cat) Executive Vice President and General Manager Tony Fernandez welcomed more than 250 people that included local pipeline industry representatives, media and community to the grand opening of the company’s new head office facility in Cypress, TX, on Feb. 9. Cypress is located in the northwest Houston area.

According to an article distributed on the PVC Pipe Association website, each year, more than 300,000 water main breaks occur throughout North America – or some 850 every day – mainly as a result of the continued use of corrosion-prone iron piping in the nation's water systems. Moreover, according to a congressional study, corrosion costs U.S. drinking water and wastewater systems over $50.7 billion annually or more than $1 trillion dollars over the next 20 years.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has renewed its Alliance with the American Pipeline Contractors Association (APCA) to continue working together to protect workers from serious job hazards during equipment operation, trenching and excavation, and hydrostatic testing.

The Northeast Trenchless Association (NTA) got 2012 off to a good start with its annual meeting in January and already has hosted its first training event -- a safety and 10-hour OSHA training seminar in mid-February.

Pipe bursting is a technology that has matured in North America since the early 2000s. Although this technology has been proven internationally and more so domestically, there are many common myths and/or misconceptions that exist in regards to the technology and its practical application. In January 2012, the IPBA released a guideline for pipe bursting that provides support and reference to the items discussed in this article.

The RehabZone completed another successful run at the 2012 Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exhibition (UCT) held in San Antonio Jan. 24-26.

The Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exhibition (UCT) made a return visit to San Antonio in January drawing a crowd of more than 2,450 and hosting ancillary association and private corporate business meetings. Previously, UCT was in San Antonio in 2009.

In 2011, Interactive Pipe Inspection (IPI) completed inspection of more than 50,000 feet of 30- and 48-inch diameter sanitary sewer lines for King County, WA. What sets the project apart from routine pipeline inspections is that the sewer lines were underwater in Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish.

It’s been more than six months since operation and ownership of water and sanitary sewer services in Indianapolis transferred from the city to a non-profit charitable trust, but most residential and commercial customers likely have experienced no difference in the day-to-day operation of these services.

The McLaughlin Group has introduced a new auger boring steering system that provides both left/right control as well as vertical grade control.

The old adage “don’t muddy the water” doesn’t apply to horizontal directional drilling (HDD) where the water is supposed to be muddy. Drilling fluid (mud) extracts particles and cuttings from the bore hole, as well as stabilizes the hole itself. Mud has always been an essential element to a successful drilling operation.

The National Association of Sewer Service Companies (NASSCO) has extended the deadline for Pipeline Assessment Certification Program (PACP) recertification from Feb. 29 to Aug. 31, 2012.

Advertisers from the print edition of <em>Underground Construction</em>, March 2012, Vol. 67 No. 3.

Pe Ben USA recently consolidated its headquarters, maintenance and storage facility to a new 20-acre location in northwest Houston.

The proposed Federal Highway Bill was big news in the mass media and construction press in late February/early March. I suspect thefunding debate will be continuing well into the spring months.

With Congress having passed a pipeline safety bill last December, you'd think the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has plenty to do implementing that law during 2012.