Underground Construction - May 2021 - 14

In 1989, The Williams Companies and Tenneco announced
the 902-mile, 36-inch Kern River gas pipeline from Wyoming
to California. The $984-million line would start in 1991 and be
commissioned in 1992.
In the aftermath of the Exxon Valdez incident on March 23,
1989, anger toward the energy industry was vented at pipelines as
well, although the spill had nothing to do with transmission. That
year, Panhandle Eastern bought Texas Eastern Transmission Corp.
in a well-publicized action, beating out a bid from rival Coastal Corp.

Magazine Sharpens its Focus
Securing its leadership position in the industry, and specific
support of the Distribution Contractors Association (DCA),
the magazine provided full coverage of the 20th annual DCA
convention, in 1981 and started conducting annual surveys of
contractors to discuss the issues they faced.
Also marking DCA's 25th anniversary, in 1986, the magazine
reported that DCA predicted maintenance, renovation and repair
of the nation's gas, water and sewer systems would be prime areas
of growth in the near future.
In July 1987, the magazine took heed, publishing its first
Infrastructure Report, the " 3 Rs, " featuring the latest in the
" Repair, Rehabilitation and Replacement of Gas, Sewer and
Water Systems. "

About mid-decade, more stories focused on water and
sewer projects, and in 1986, the magazine's bent toward
underground technology was clear. An example was a
fascinating tunneling job in Montreal that year, for which
American Augers configured a 19-foot-diameter machine
that helped contractors build collector interceptor lines
through hard bedrock some 150 feet below the city. Twenty
trucks were used to transport the machine, which produced
more than 1 million pounds of torque.
1986 also featured the magazine's first fiber optic cable
report. The next year's March issue had the first special report
on " Trenchless Excavation Boring, " a topic that would later
become a staple of the magazine. The May issue focused on the
latest techniques in rock trenching and July included the newest
breakthrough in polyethylene linins.
The trend continued for the rest of the decade, with even
more technical stories on subjects, such as microtunneling,
pipe pushing, directional drilling, pigging and removal of pipe
coatings, drawn from jobs throughout the world.
Most telling was the 1989 establishment of Trenchless
Technology Center at Louisiana Tech University, by Dr. Tom
Iseley. It quickly became, and remains today, a premier force
in advancing trenchless technology, serving as an independent
source of knowledge, research, and education in the field. *

Profiles in Underground Construction
Avanti International

THEN
*	 In 1978, Avanti International was established in Webster, Texas (near
Houston).
*	
David Magill, a trenchless industry pioneer, was hired
as its first employee and the company's first president.
*	 In 1988, Magill purchased controlling interest in the company,
becoming CEO. Under his direction, the company continued to
prosper, remaining steadfast to the Avanti name today.
*	 Avanti started with only one product, AV-100 Chemical Grout,
primarily used to stop water leaks in municipal sewer lines.
NOW
*	 Angela Magill, David's widow, is director, and Britt N. Babcock, P.E.,
is president, running the day-to-day business with a dedicated sales
and support team.
*	 Over the years, Avanti's product line and markets served have grown
tremendously, now offering a complete line of injection grouts
(acrylics, polyurethanes, cements, epoxies). Each grout is unique
and designed for specific applications.
*	 Avanti also sells auxiliary products and pumps for the municipal,
industrial and geotechnical markets.

14

MAY 2021 | UCONonline.com

MILESTONES
*	 Supporting the municipal industry for 43 years, and counting, Avanti has
helped increase popularity and acceptance of the trenchless industry.
*	 David Magill was an early member of and significant contributor to
NASSCO; the company is still active, especially through the Infiltration
Control Grouting Committee.
*	
With other active ICGC members,
Avanti created and presents the
Level 200 Municipal Sewer Grout
School, a two-day course that
explores how and why injection
grouting stops groundwater
infiltration into sewer collections.
CONNECTIONS
*	 Avanti has exhibited at the Underground Construction Technology (UCT)
conference and participated in the RehabZone for decades -
quite possibly since the very beginning.
*	 Our team has worked closely with the magazine staff through the years -
especially with our industry friend and mentor, Robert Carpenter.
He has been a great asset and friend to our team at Avanti, and we are
grateful for all he and his team do to advance our industry.
*	 Congratulations to Underground Construction magazine for 75 years!
http://www.UCONonline.com
Underground Construction - May 2021

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