Underground Construction - September 2021 - 10

NEWSLINE LATEST INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS
nies started the Deere-Hitachi manufacturing joint
venture to produce excavators in Kernersville, NC.
In 2001, John Deere and Hitachi combined their
marketing and distribution efforts in the Americas.
In 2011, excavator manufacturing was expanded
with the addition of the Deere-Hitachi Brazil
factory in Indaiatuba.
Kentucky Airport Recommended
for Wastewater Project Funding
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has
recommended that the federal Appalachian
Regional Commission approve a roughly $1
million infrastructure project that would extend
wastewater collection and treatment service to
the Central Kentucky Regional Airport.
Existing water and sewer systems at the airport
cannot support its anticipated growth, Beshear
said. The need for upgrades is amplified by the
presence of the Eastern Kentucky University flight
school at the airport, which soon will create an
aviation mechanic program.
" These infrastructure upgrades will encourage
more investments and bring even more jobs to
this region, " the governor said.
TBM " MudHoney " Launches on
Water Quality Project in Seattle
The Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) " MudHoney "
has begun excavation on a 2.7 mile, 18'10 "
diameter tunnel in Seattle that will prevent up to
75 million gallons of polluted stormwater and
sewage from entering the Lake Washington Ship
Canal, Salmon Bay, and Lake Union each year.
Crews lowered MudHoney into the 107-feet
deep, 80-foot diameter shaft in Ballard, Washington,
which will be home to the western end of the
tunnel and above-ground facilities supporting the
tunnel.
The Ship Canal Water Quality Project is a $570
million project. The Lane Construction Corporation,
the U.S. subsidiary of the Webuild Group, has a $255
million share of the project. The project is expected
to be completed by 2025.
" MudHoney " was selected by the public in a vote
to name the TBM and is a nod to one of Seattle's
beloved rock bands.
Skid Steer Auction Prices Up
30% in the U.S. - Ritchie Bros.
Ritchie Bros.' latest Market Trends Report continues
to show positive pricing trends across all its
equipment indexes, with medium earthmoving and
vocational trucks up 27 percent and 26 percent
respectively, for the three months ending July 31.
Over the past decade, the equipment auction
company said it has seen multi-terrain loader sales
grow exponentially in comparison to its wheeled
counterpart. In 2010, it sold roughly five times more
skid steers (3,037 units) in the U.S. than multi-terrain
loaders (624 units). By 2020 that ratio had changed
drastically, as the company sold approximately 2.5
times more multi-terrain loaders (3,484) than skid
steers (1,310).
The retail market for used compact-sized earthmoving
equipment, including skid steer loaders, has
also shown impressive strength this year. *
10 SEPTEMBER 2021 | UCONonline.com
http://www.wyoben.com http://www.UCONonline.com
Underground Construction - September 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Underground Construction - September 2021
