PPI publishes mini-HDD guidelines
IRVING, TEXAS — The Plastics Pipe Institute, Inc. (PPI) published new guidelines in Technical Report TR-46 for the placement of flexible high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe using mini-horizontal directional drilling (mini-HDD) techniques. TR-46 provides detailed information regarding site and bore-path planning, pipe design, drilling procedures, inspection, and testing. According to PPI, Mini-HDD enables rapid underground installation of corrosion-resistant HDPE pipe for water, gas, and utility cables for runs of less than 600 feet, at depths up to 15 feet, and bore holes as large as 12 inches in diameter with minimal disruption to the surrounding site. The new mini-HDD guidelines for HDPE pipe can be downloaded as TR-46 from the PPI website at http://plasticpipe.org/publications/technical_reports.html.

CRSI honors concrete bridge designers
SCHAUMBURG, ILL. — Three bridges are among the winners in the Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute’s (CRSI) biennial 2010 CRSI Design Awards program. The CRSI Design Awards program honors excellence in reinforced concrete structures in the United States, Canada, or Mexico and acknowledges their designers. Winners in the bridge category are David Kreitzer Lake Hodges Bicycle Pedestrian Bridge, San Diego (submitted by T.Y. Lin International); and the I-35W Bridge, Minneapolis (submitted by FIGG). The SH58 Ramp A Flyover Bridge, Golden, Colo., submitted by Summit Engineering Group, Inc., received honorable mention.

IECA calls for conference presentations
DENVER — The International Erosion Control Association (IECA) is calling for submittals for Environmental Connection 2011(EC11), the annual conference and expo of IECA scheduled for Feb. 20-23, 2011, in Orlando, Fla. Suggested topics range from post-construction stormwater BMPs to low-impact development, but any erosion and sediment control-related topics are welcome. Deadline to submit an abstract is May 20, 2010. More information about the EC11 submittal process is available at www.ieca.org/submissions