The Swiss Alps have for centuries presented a major barrier to transport in Europe. Even today, modern highways and railroads struggle to negotiate the steep, unforgiving terrain. To ease the bottleneck, Switzerland is making major investments that will integrate it into the growing network of high-speed railways in Europe. A key component is construction of the New Rail Link through the Alps (NRLA). When completed, the NRLA and its high-speed AlpTransit trains will reduce the 3-hour, 40-minute travel time between Zurich, Switzerland, and Milan, Italy, by a full hour. In addition to numerous new bridges and facilities, the NRLA will include approximately 120 kilometers (75 miles) of new railway tunnels. The centerpiece of the tunnel system is the Gotthard Base Tunnel between Erstfeld and Bodio in southern Switzerland (see Figure 1). When completed in 2017, the Gotthard will be 57 kilometers (35 miles) long — the longest tunnel in the world.

Corrosive, aggressive soil conditions near the Port of Tampa, Fla., that destroyed a 35-year-old ductile iron water main — expected to last 100 years — may be typical of conditions near many American ports. In Tampa, contamination came from soils dredged from the bay, which likely contained residual chlorides. It is also possible that the groundwater suffers from salt water intrusion. More than 13 unstoppable leaks were found in a 200-foot-long section of the old iron water main.

As water department engineers carefully researched and deliberated pipe-replacement options, they became aware of JM Eagle’s introduction in 2009 of Eagle Loc 900 with a new internal joint-restraint system. Internal joint restraints eliminate the need for external fixtures on polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe fittings. Subsequently, the Tampa Water Department approved the purchase of 960 feet of 12-inch-diameter, DR18 Eagle Loc 900 for the project, which began in November 2009 and concluded in January 2010.