(NWPX Infrastructure: Vancouver, WA) -- NWPX Infrastructure, a leading manufacturer of water-related infrastructure products, announced the successful completion of the first field installation of its patent-pending Permalok Radial Bending Joint, a breakthrough technology that allows steel casing pipe to be installed along intentionally curved alignments during microtunneling operations.

The first installation of the Permalok Radial Bending Joint featured 72 in. OD casing pipe manufactured by Northwest Pipe Co., providing the flexibility needed to achieve a 5,500 ft-radius curved alignment. The Permalok Radial Bending Joint casing pipe enabled construction crews to navigate a tight footprint in a densely populated neighborhood and successfully intercepted an abandoned tunnel beneath New Jersey’s Pleasure Bay from the original tunnel exit shaft.

Developed internally by the company, the Radial Bending Joint retains the advantages of Permalok’s proven press-fit connection system, including weld-free installation, reduced field labor requirements, and compatibility with existing microtunneling boring machines and jacking systems.

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