In this insightful episode, Crystal Ball and Matthew Schroettnig sit down with Sarah Edmonds, Bob Rowe, and Debra Smith to discuss their “Theory of Change” for expanding high-voltage, long-distance transmission in the Western U.S. The conversation centers around the need for collaboration and innovation to meet the demands of the future energy grid. As part of the Western Transmission Expansion …
Aging infrastructure is no longer just a looming problem – it’s a crisis we face daily, especially with the utility systems beneath our feet. From corroding pipelines to crumbling water mains, the challenges of keeping these systems functional and safe are immense. But even as the U.S. infrastructure bill brings in much-needed cash for improvements, we’re missing a critical piece …
I recently came across this article about Lumos Fiber being banned from digging in a community due to repeated utility strikes and damage. As I read through it, I couldn’t help but wonder – what would I do if I were in that company’s shoes? How would I respond to being banned from working in an area because of damage …
“Damage prevention progress requires reversing an established trend” – 2022 DIRT Report Is another pipe failure looming? A health check of Canada’s water mains: READ Utility Surveys are Proactive!: READ Simex’s latest wheel saw reaches 70 cm depths: READ Gas line strikes lead to catastrophic explosions: WATCH Supervisors Approve Red Dog Road Underground Utilities District: READ Shooting water 100 …
“Whether you’re adding a fence to your home or working on a construction site, if you’re planning to dig more than a few inches into the ground, you need to check for buried utilities, including buried gas lines. An exposed gas line is a vulnerable gas line, and a gas line strike can result in serious danger. We investigated two …
Utility surveys are a refreshingly proactive measure in a field that often relies too heavily on reactive solutions. They’re usually done in the planning stages of a project and as such help to prevent construction delays, surprise infrastructure conflicts, and over spending. By addressing risks before they materialize, these surveys create the foundation for safer, more efficient, and cost-effective construction …
“Increased construction spending consistently correlates with more damages. If significant changes are not made to U.S. damage prevention, infrastructure funding will further strain the system, resulting in more damages in the coming years.” – 2022 DIRT Report Introducing CERTLOC – a World-Leading Certified Locator Institute: READ Locators learning on the job: READ Ky 811 says growing means protecting underground …
Kuala Lumpur is grappling with a series of sinkholes, the most prominent being the one that tragically claimed the life of a woman on August 23, 2024, along the busy Jalan Masjid India. The incident has stirred concern among residents, traders, and authorities due to the potential risks posed by similar occurrences in the area.Heavy rains and potential underground infrastructure …
When you think about damage prevention, you might picture some folks with hard hats and spray paint, marking up the ground before a construction project kicks off. But if that’s where your mind stops, you’re missing the bigger picture. Damage prevention also has a mix of macro and microeconomic forces acting on it and which drive how we protect our …
The ability to prevent damage to underground infrastructure hinges on both technical expertise and practical experience. On-the-job learning plays an indispensable role in bridging the gap between formal training and real-world application. Locators who engage in continuous learning on the job are better equipped to navigate the specific challenges of their work environment, such as identifying subtle variations in soil …