Auger boring is a trusted trenchless method for installing underground pipe or casing with minimal surface disruption – making it ideal for crossings under highways, railroads, or other high-traffic areas. It’s efficient, accurate, and built for tough soil conditions.
The process involves jacking a steel casing through the earth while a rotating flight auger inside removes the spoil. The auger transfers material back to the bore pit, keeping the casing clean as it advances forward. This technique maintains ground stability, reduces surface impact, and minimizes the need for continuous open trenches.
Auger boring is a proven trenchless installation method used across the U.S., especially for roadway and railroad crossings where open trenching isn’t practical. This technique involves jacking a steel casing forward through the ground while a rotating flight auger inside removes the soil. The auger, a spiral-shaped tube, transfers the excavated material back to the bore pit while simultaneously supporting the surrounding soil.
The process is typically done from an excavated launch pit to a receiving pit and is best suited for straight-line bores, both horizontally and vertically. Because the casing itself reinforces the tunnel as it advances, auger boring provides a safe and efficient way to install pipe without disturbing the surface.
With roots in the coal mining industry of the 1930s, auger boring has evolved over the past 80+ years to handle larger diameters, longer distances, and a wider range of ground conditions. It can also be paired with guided boring technologies for increased precision.