Emergency line, same number
Line strike, main break, or permit window closing — dispatch answers 24/7 when locates and safe access allow.
Oklahoma statewide
Tunneling / TBM
Microtunneling and TBM methods mine soil at the face while pipe is jacked behind a steering head — built for gravity sewer, large outfalls, and owner specs where HDD diameter or tolerance is insufficient.
What Is Tunneling / TBM?
Microtunneling and TBM methods mine soil at the face while pipe is jacked behind a steering head — built for gravity sewer, large outfalls, and owner specs where HDD diameter or tolerance is insufficient.
How It Works
Entry and reception shafts are shored and dewatered. A microtunnel machine advances on laser guidance; slurry or spoil handling matches groundwater. Pipe segments follow the mined face per municipal detail.
Who Needs Tunneling / TBM?
- Municipal trunk sewers with tight elevation tolerance
- Large outfalls under the North Canadian or Arkansas River corridors
- Projects where settlement limits forbid open trench in urban fill
Materials & Pipe Sizes
RCP, steel jacking pipe, and concrete segments — commonly 24 inches through 120+ inches on major work.
Project Scale
Mid-size to large municipal programs — not typical for residential laterals.
Benefits vs Open-Cut Trenching
Deep urban trunk lines would require enormous trenches and utility conflicts. Shaft footprints localize disruption.
- Gravity-grade control for sewer
- Large diameter in one mining operation
- Reduced settlement versus wide trench
- Smaller surface impact than open cut trunk installs
When You Need This Service
- Plans specify microtunnel or pipe jacking
- Gravity sewer cannot tolerate HDD profile drift
- Open trench blocked politically or environmentally
- High groundwater demands sealed-face mining
811 & Permits
Shaft and tunnel alignments need exhaustive locate, monitoring, and often traffic and environmental permits beyond a standard 811 ticket.
Cost Factors (No Flat Rate)
Diameter, length, shaft depth, groundwater handling, disposal, guidance, and municipal inspection milestones.
Get a Free Estimate →Why specs list trenchless here
Oklahoma ground rewards planning before the rig arrives
Shrink-swell clay, OG&E congestion, and ROW permits change the math — we scope before we mobilize.
Alignment review at no charge
Send path, diameter, and county — we explain footage, rock, traffic control, and tap fees as drivers, not a menu price.
One-Call before every pit
Oklahoma dig law, pothole conflicts, and expired tickets stop work — we document locates for commercial and municipal files.
Pits, not trenches
Finished berms, brick walks, and tenant parking stay largely intact when HDD or casing fits the alignment.
FAQ
Tunneling / TBM FAQ
Microtunneling versus HDD?
Different tools: face mining and pipe jacking versus surface drill string. Spec and diameter pick the method.
Municipal inspection support?
We coordinate with your engineer for shaft, mining, and reception hold points defined in the contract.
When is TBM too much?
Short commercial or residential work rarely justifies shaft spreads — we route those to HDD or auger bore.
What is horizontal directional drilling (HDD)?
HDD uses a steerable drill head to create an underground path, then pulls pipe or conduit through without a continuous surface trench. It is the standard way to cross driveways, parking lots, highways, and waterways when restoration costs matter.
How much does directional boring cost in Oklahoma?
Quotes depend on footage, pipe size, red clay or rock, groundwater, traffic control, and how many utilities share the corridor — we do not publish a per-foot rate. Send your alignment and we will break down the cost drivers on a free estimate.
Free Tunneling / TBM Quote
24/7 — Emergency dispatch statewide — (512) 838-3643
Scope your bore path
Send alignment details
Step 1 of 2 — path, pipe, and city first