Tunnels and Tunnelling Blog - Page 2
Stay up to date with the latest Tunnels and Tunnelling Blog updates from the global tunnelling industry
Christie's gamble
Protecting his state from potential cost overruns, newly-elected New Jersey governor Chris Christie proudly brought the Access to the Region's Core (ARC) tunnel project to a halt in 2010. The USD 8.7bn rail project under the Hudson River would have connected New Jersey to New York through two, single-track 2.26km-long tunnels.
Protecting his state from potential cost overruns, newly-elected New Jersey governor Chris Christie proudly brought the Access to the Region's Core (ARC) tunnel project to a halt in 2010. The USD 8.7bn rail project under the Hudson River would have connected New Jersey to New York through two, single-track 2.26km-long tunnels.
Optimism Abounds
At the rapid excavation and Tunnelling Conference (RETC) in New Orleans this June, there was a discernable attitude shift of the industry from 2014 to 2015. At the North America Tunneling (NAT) event in Los Angeles—where a news crew local to Seattle roamed the exhibit hall, looking for answers about the stalled TBM on the Alaskan Way viaduct project—the tone of most conversations expressed hesitation, concern and frustration.
At the rapid excavation and Tunnelling Conference (RETC) in New Orleans this June, there was a discernable attitude shift of the industry from 2014 to 2015. At the North America Tunneling (NAT) event in Los Angeles—where a news crew local to Seattle roamed the exhibit hall, looking for answers about the stalled TBM on the Alaskan Way viaduct project—the tone of most conversations expressed hesitation, concern and frustration.
Give a voice to future tech
In a previous comment I wrote about ITA president Soren Eskesen's progress with bringing tunnelling to the attention of the UN bodies studying ways to mitigate the effects of flooding and other natural disasters caused by climate change. He has had some success in this, but talking about innovations and actually putting them in place are sometimes a world apart.
In a previous comment I wrote about ITA president Soren Eskesen's progress with bringing tunnelling to the attention of the UN bodies studying ways to mitigate the effects of flooding and other natural disasters caused by climate change. He has had some success in this, but talking about innovations and actually putting them in place are sometimes a world apart.
Closing the gender gap
Last December, the University of Minnesota’s College of Science and Engineering hosted a very well-attended family fair showcasing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Children as young as two years old built bridges out of marshmallows and toothpicks, as part of the civil engineering exhibit, and wide range of other activities designed by student across the various departments captivated the attention of of children of all ages.
Last December, the University of Minnesota’s College of Science and Engineering hosted a very well-attended family fair showcasing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Children as young as two years old built bridges out of marshmallows and toothpicks, as part of the civil engineering exhibit, and wide range of other activities designed by student across the various departments captivated the attention of of children of all ages.
Acknowledging awards
Hundreds of millions of dollars are spent each year to simply promote movies and television shows for events like the Academy Awards and the Emmys. While superficially glamorous, the prestige is lacking with each passing year, with deeper pockets and a growing number of award shows for the entertainment industry.
Hundreds of millions of dollars are spent each year to simply promote movies and television shows for events like the Academy Awards and the Emmys. While superficially glamorous, the prestige is lacking with each passing year, with deeper pockets and a growing number of award shows for the entertainment industry.
High tide
It’s an exciting time for the International Tunnelling Association (ITA) leadership. With growing international acceptance that climate change is affecting the world, there are two outcomes. Firstly, governments try to change the habits of the planet to slow the pace of a changing biosphere. This is a boost to the demand for tunnelling on the larger scale; governments looking for low-carbon per capita means of transportation, for example. Metro networks rather than private car ownership.
It’s an exciting time for the International Tunnelling Association (ITA) leadership. With growing international acceptance that climate change is affecting the world, there are two outcomes. Firstly, governments try to change the habits of the planet to slow the pace of a changing biosphere. This is a boost to the demand for tunnelling on the larger scale; governments looking for low-carbon per capita means of transportation, for example. Metro networks rather than private car ownership.
What is sustainable infrastructure?
It's not underground, one would conclude from a report asking, what does the future of sustainable infrastructure look like? Making use of underground space is not once mentioned.
It's not underground, one would conclude from a report asking, what does the future of sustainable infrastructure look like? Making use of underground space is not once mentioned.
China Decider
In December Australia’s multi-industry contracting giant Leighton Holdings announced the impending sale of John Holland to the fourth largest construction company in the world. The buyer, state-owned China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) stressed that it would be “business as usual” for John Holland customers, that it perceived growth opportunities in Australia. Normal commentary during a takeover.
In December Australia’s multi-industry contracting giant Leighton Holdings announced the impending sale of John Holland to the fourth largest construction company in the world. The buyer, state-owned China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) stressed that it would be “business as usual” for John Holland customers, that it perceived growth opportunities in Australia. Normal commentary during a takeover.
Young members matter
In the last 15 months there has been a flourish of countries establishing Young Member Groups in tunnelling organisations, and that includes both Canada and the US. In May the ITA General Assembly in Brazil approved the creation of an ITA Young Members Group. Its mission is to “bridge the generation gap and provide a technical network platform for young professionals in the tunnelling and underground space industry."
In the last 15 months there has been a flourish of countries establishing Young Member Groups in tunnelling organisations, and that includes both Canada and the US. In May the ITA General Assembly in Brazil approved the creation of an ITA Young Members Group. Its mission is to “bridge the generation gap and provide a technical network platform for young professionals in the tunnelling and underground space industry."
Next Generation
Recently, various reports have been released that confirm the ever-widening gap between the Millennial generation and the preceding Baby Boomers.
Recently, various reports have been released that confirm the ever-widening gap between the Millennial generation and the preceding Baby Boomers.
Spending Spree
This month marks the fifth anniversary of the Recovery Act, the government’s attempt to create new jobs and spur economic growth at a time when the economy seemed very bleak. Congress and President Obama issued USD 787bn in tax cuts, funding for entitlement programs (such as unemployment benefits and funding for federal contracts), grants and loans, which was later upped to USD 840bn.
This month marks the fifth anniversary of the Recovery Act, the government’s attempt to create new jobs and spur economic growth at a time when the economy seemed very bleak. Congress and President Obama issued USD 787bn in tax cuts, funding for entitlement programs (such as unemployment benefits and funding for federal contracts), grants and loans, which was later upped to USD 840bn.
In with the new
In a Finnish conference hall in 2011, Sao Paulo hammered both Singapore and Sydney, and was selected to host the World Tunnel Congress in 2014.
In a Finnish conference hall in 2011, Sao Paulo hammered both Singapore and Sydney, and was selected to host the World Tunnel Congress in 2014.
Public opinion
Almost four years ago Congress passed the Affordable Care Act (ACA) dubbed "Obamacare" by detractors. As this new year begins most aspects of the ACA that haven't already started are now effective-such as the health care exchanges for people buying their own plans, and making it illegal for insurers to deny coverage based on preexisting conditions.
Almost four years ago Congress passed the Affordable Care Act (ACA) dubbed "Obamacare" by detractors. As this new year begins most aspects of the ACA that haven't already started are now effective-such as the health care exchanges for people buying their own plans, and making it illegal for insurers to deny coverage based on preexisting conditions.
Canada’s project of the year
As tunnels went to press the Tunnelling Association of Canada's annual awards were in full swing. The award for best Canadian tunnelling project for 2013 went to a project that had to endure some of the toughest ground conditions, consistently varying, and continually testing the skills and knowledge of the teams involved.
As tunnels went to press the Tunnelling Association of Canada's annual awards were in full swing. The award for best Canadian tunnelling project for 2013 went to a project that had to endure some of the toughest ground conditions, consistently varying, and continually testing the skills and knowledge of the teams involved.
Shutdown Showdown
"Due to a lapse in funding, the US Federal Government has shut down.”
"Due to a lapse in funding, the US Federal Government has shut down.”
Two faces of disclosure
Last month Edward Snowden, a former low-level NSA technician revealed to the world what it already knew: that the shadowy arm of the world’s most powerful government is keeping tabs on its citizens.
Last month Edward Snowden, a former low-level NSA technician revealed to the world what it already knew: that the shadowy arm of the world’s most powerful government is keeping tabs on its citizens.
Face the facts
As this issue of Tunnels North America goes to print, three significant events took place in the US within days of each other. Two brothers set off bombs at the Boston Marathon, a fertiliser plant exploded in Texas and the Federal Aviation Administration furloughed air traffic controllers as part of the government-wide sequester, the current buzzword for USD 85bn spending cuts.
As this issue of Tunnels North America goes to print, three significant events took place in the US within days of each other. Two brothers set off bombs at the Boston Marathon, a fertiliser plant exploded in Texas and the Federal Aviation Administration furloughed air traffic controllers as part of the government-wide sequester, the current buzzword for USD 85bn spending cuts.
An open letter to the U.S. Congress
Dear elected officials, or the interns who open their mail, while I have no direct affiliation with the organisers, I’m going to go out on a limb, here, and invite you to RETC, the Rapid Excavation Technology Conference, which is being held in your neighbourhood this June. I’m sure they won’t mind.
Dear elected officials, or the interns who open their mail, while I have no direct affiliation with the organisers, I’m going to go out on a limb, here, and invite you to RETC, the Rapid Excavation Technology Conference, which is being held in your neighbourhood this June. I’m sure they won’t mind.
A cost of price
The UK has been hit by a supply chain scandal in the past month that seems unrivalled in recent years. One of the most regulated industries has spectacularly failed. British and European consumers have been eating horsemeat disguised as beef. This scandal offers a warning on price driven markets. The introduction of horsemeat into beef products has affected the lowest price readymade meals. Opportunists in the supply chain delivered cheap ‘beef’ to undercut competition.
The UK has been hit by a supply chain scandal in the past month that seems unrivalled in recent years. One of the most regulated industries has spectacularly failed. British and European consumers have been eating horsemeat disguised as beef. This scandal offers a warning on price driven markets. The introduction of horsemeat into beef products has affected the lowest price readymade meals. Opportunists in the supply chain delivered cheap ‘beef’ to undercut competition.
Rock Me Amadeus
NATM is a frequently misunderstood approach to tunnelling. Its de¬ nition, its use and its advantages are often the subject of debate. In this issue of Tunnels, Austrian Society for Geomechanics (OeGG) president Wulf Schubert attempts to tackle the issue.
NATM is a frequently misunderstood approach to tunnelling. Its de¬ nition, its use and its advantages are often the subject of debate. In this issue of Tunnels, Austrian Society for Geomechanics (OeGG) president Wulf Schubert attempts to tackle the issue.
