Not all directional boring jobs are simple residential service line replacements. Some of the most technically demanding work Trinity Boring Solutions performs involves crossing under active state highways, Interstate freeways, railroad tracks, and major rivers. These crossings require permits from multiple government agencies, specialized equipment and tooling, precise bore planning, and crews with experience navigating the unique challenges of deep, long-distance bores.

If you are a contractor, developer, or utility owner planning a project that requires a highway, railroad, or river crossing in Oklahoma, this guide covers the permit process, depth requirements, equipment considerations, and key things to know before you break ground. Trinity Boring Solutions has the ODOT certification, the large-diameter boring equipment, and the experience to manage these complex crossings from permit application to final pullback.

ODOT Permit Process for Highway Crossings

Any installation of a utility under an ODOT-maintained road in Oklahoma requires a permit from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. ODOT utility permits are governed by the Utility Accommodation Policy for Oklahoma (UAP), which is available on the ODOT website. Key elements of the ODOT permit process include:

Who Submits the Permit Application

The permit application is submitted by the utility owner or their authorized contractor. Trinity Boring Solutions can submit the permit application on behalf of utility owners for our clients, which is often the most efficient approach because we can provide the required bore plan drawings, equipment specifications, and contractor certification documentation as part of a single submission package.

What the Permit Application Requires

An ODOT utility crossing permit application must include:

• Completed ODOT permit application form with utility owner and contractor information
• Plan and profile drawing showing the bore path, existing utilities, road profile, and all depths
• Horizontal Directional Drilling or jack and bore method specified
• Casing specifications (size, material, wall thickness) for utilities that require casing under ODOT roads
• Contractor ODOT certification number
• Proof of contractor liability insurance meeting ODOT minimums
• Traffic control plan if any surface work is required in the right-of-way

Permit Processing Time

Standard ODOT utility crossing permit processing time is 30 to 60 days from submission of a complete application. Complex crossings on high-volume highways or Interstates may take longer. Emergency permits for utility damage repair can sometimes be expedited through ODOT's emergency permit process, but planned installations should account for the standard processing time in the project schedule. Submitting an incomplete application that requires multiple rounds of revision can add weeks to the permit timeline.

ODOT Depth Requirements by Road Class

ODOT specifies minimum installation depths below the road structure based on road classification. These measurements are taken from the bottom of the pavement or base course to the top of the utility casing:

• Interstate highways: 48 inches minimum below bottom of pavement
• State highways and US routes: 36 inches minimum below bottom of pavement
• Access road within ODOT right-of-way: 24 inches minimum
• Bore must extend: At least 5 feet beyond the outermost edge of the road shoulder or to the right-of-way fence, whichever is greater

When to Use Jack and Bore vs HDD for Road Crossings

Two primary trenchless methods are used for installing utilities under Oklahoma roads: horizontal directional drilling (HDD) and jack and bore. The choice between them depends on the bore diameter, the road type, the utility specifications, and site conditions.

Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD)

HDD is a steerable method that uses a drill head guided by a beacon transmitter to follow a precise bore path. HDD is preferred for:

• Smaller diameter utilities (gas, water, fiber, electric conduit up to 6 to 8 inches)
• Longer crossings where the depth of a jack and bore pit would be impractical
• River and waterway crossings where the bore path needs to follow a curved profile
• Crossings with existing utility congestion that requires precise navigation
• Projects where surface entry and exit conditions favor the sloped entry of an HDD rig over a vertical pit

Jack and Bore

Jack and bore uses hydraulic jacks to push steel casing pipe through the ground while a rotating auger removes soil from inside the casing. Jack and bore is preferred for:

• Larger diameter casing (6 inches to 48 inches and larger)
• Highway crossings where ODOT or the utility owner requires a specific steel casing size
• Short crossings of 200 feet or less where the vertical pit excavation is feasible
• Railroad crossings where steel casing and jack and bore method are specified by the railroad
• Crossings where the carrier pipe carrier must be installed inside a separately installed casing

Many ODOT highway crossings for large-diameter utilities require jack and bore with steel casing. The steel casing provides permanent structural protection for the carrier pipe under the road and prevents road settlement over the bore path over time. Trinity Boring Solutions performs both HDD and jack and bore crossings and will recommend the appropriate method based on your utility specifications, ODOT requirements, and site conditions. Learn more about our road and highway utility work in Oklahoma.

Railroad Crossing Requirements in Oklahoma

Railroad crossings in Oklahoma require a separate permit from the railroad operator in addition to any ODOT or county permits. The two primary railroad operators with significant track mileage in Oklahoma are BNSF Railway and Union Pacific Railroad. Each has its own utility crossing application process and specifications. Learn more about our railroad utility crossing services.

BNSF Railway Crossing Process

BNSF requires utility crossing applicants to submit their application through the BNSF online permit portal. BNSF specifications for utility crossings under its tracks in Oklahoma typically include:

• Minimum 60 inches below the top of rail to the top of the utility casing
• Steel casing required for all crossings, with minimum wall thickness specified by utility type and casing diameter
• Casing must extend at least 25 feet beyond the centerline of each track on both sides of the crossing
• Jack and bore method specified for most crossings; HDD may be permitted for fiber and smaller utilities on a case-by-case basis
• BNSF flagman required during all work within BNSF right-of-way at the contractor's expense
• Work must not impact rail traffic or track integrity at any point during installation

BNSF permit processing typically takes 4 to 8 weeks for standard utility crossings. The cost of the BNSF permit includes the application fee plus the flagman charges for the actual construction period. Permit-to-construction timeline for railroad crossings should be planned as 60 to 90 days minimum from initial application submission.

Union Pacific Crossing Process

Union Pacific uses a similar process to BNSF but through its own permit portal. Union Pacific has significant mainline track mileage through central Oklahoma including the Tulsa area, and its specifications for depth, casing, and construction method are similar to BNSF. The UP flagman requirement and the cost of that flagman during construction are consistent between the two railroads.

River Crossing Bores in Oklahoma

Trinity Boring Solutions has completed river crossing bores under several major Oklahoma waterways including the Arkansas River, which is one of the most significant utility crossing challenges in the state. River crossings are among the most technically demanding HDD projects because of the combined requirements for deep bore paths, long bore distances, environmental compliance, and precise fluid management to prevent inadvertent returns to the riverbed.

Arkansas River Crossings

Trinity Boring Solutions has performed large-diameter bores under the Arkansas River in the Tulsa area. The Arkansas River crossings in this region involve:

• Bore lengths of 500 to 1,500 feet depending on the crossing width and required entry and exit geometry
• Bore depths of 30 to 50 feet below the river bottom at the centerline of the crossing
• Large-diameter back-reamers to accommodate the final utility pipe size
• High-volume bentonite drilling fluid systems to maintain bore hole stability at depth
• Continuous bore tracking with walkover and wireline locating systems
• Army Corps of Engineers permit compliance for work in navigable waterways

Army Corps of Engineers Considerations

Crossings of navigable waterways in Oklahoma require coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. The Army Corps of Engineers Tulsa District has jurisdiction over major Oklahoma rivers including the Arkansas, Verdigris, Neosho, Red, and Kiamichi rivers. Key Army Corps requirements for river crossing bores include:

• Section 404 permit or Nationwide Permit (NWP) authorization before any work begins in or near a navigable waterway
• Inadvertent drilling fluid return (frac-out) prevention and response plan
• Minimum depth requirements to protect the riverbed from boring activity
• Environmental monitoring during the bore, particularly for any signs of drilling fluid surfacing in the waterway
• Post-construction survey to confirm no impact to the riverbed or channel

Nationwide Permit 12 covers utility crossings of waterways that meet certain size and impact thresholds and can be obtained through a pre-construction notification (PCN) rather than a full individual permit application. Trinity Boring Solutions can assist with PCN preparation for river crossings that qualify under NWP 12.

Steel Casing Specifications for Highway and Railroad Crossings

Most highway and railroad crossings in Oklahoma require installation of steel casing pipe around the utility carrier pipe. The steel casing protects the carrier pipe from surface loading, provides a permanent sleeve for future carrier pipe replacement, and prevents road or track settlement over the bore path. Key casing specifications commonly required:

• Casing diameter: Typically 2 to 4 inches larger than the carrier pipe outside diameter to allow the carrier to be pulled through without binding and to provide space for casing spacers and end seals.
• Wall thickness: ODOT and railroad specifications typically require minimum wall thickness based on the casing diameter. Common specifications for highway crossings are Schedule 40 minimum for small diameter and heavier wall specifications for large diameter casing under interstate highways.
• Material grade: ASTM A53 Grade B or API 5L are the most common casing materials for ODOT and railroad crossings in Oklahoma. Higher-strength grades may be specified for large-diameter crossings under heavily trafficked roads.
• Casing extension: The casing must extend a specified distance beyond the road edge, shoulder, or right-of-way fence. ODOT requires 5 feet beyond the edge of the shoulder or right-of-way fence, whichever is greater. Railroad crossings require 25 feet beyond the track centerline on each side.
• End seals: Casing ends must be sealed with approved end seal fittings to prevent water infiltration and casing annulus fill material loss. Common end seals are rubber boot-type end seals or welded steel end plates.
• Casing spacers: Polyethylene or steel casing spacers support the carrier pipe inside the casing at regular intervals to prevent carrier pipe contact with the casing wall, which could cause localized corrosion or electrical grounding issues for gas lines.

Typical Timeline from Permit to Project Completion

Planning a highway, railroad, or river crossing bore in Oklahoma requires significant lead time compared to a standard residential or commercial directional bore. Contractors and utility owners should plan on the following minimum timelines from initial permit application to project completion:

Note that permit timelines are for complete, correctly submitted applications. Incomplete applications or applications requiring revisions will take longer. Trinity Boring Solutions recommends beginning the permit process as early as possible in the project development phase, ideally during design, to avoid permit delays that hold up construction schedules.

Contact our team to discuss your crossing project and get a realistic schedule assessment based on the specific agencies and permit types involved.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Trinity Boring Solutions handle the ODOT permit application for highway crossings?
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Yes. Trinity Boring Solutions can manage the complete ODOT permit application process on behalf of the utility owner or general contractor. We prepare the required bore plan drawings, specify the installation method and casing specifications, and provide our ODOT contractor certification number and insurance documentation. We also handle communication with the ODOT district office during the review period and submit any revisions requested by ODOT. This turnkey permit approach is often the most efficient option for clients who want a single point of contact for both permitting and construction.

What is the minimum depth for boring under an Oklahoma highway?
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ODOT requires a minimum of 36 inches below the bottom of pavement on state highways and US routes, and 48 inches below the bottom of pavement on Interstate highways. These depths are measured from the underside of the pavement structure to the top of the utility casing. On highways with thick pavement structures (12 to 16 inches is common for heavily traveled roads), the bore path centerline may need to be 5 to 6 feet below the road surface to achieve the required 48-inch clearance. Bore depth requirements are one of the first things we calculate when planning a new highway crossing.

Has Trinity Boring Solutions bored under the Arkansas River?
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Yes. Trinity Boring Solutions has completed large-diameter directional bores under the Arkansas River in the Tulsa area. These projects involved bores of 500 feet and longer, at depths of 30 to 50 feet below the river bottom, using large-diameter HDD equipment with high-volume drilling fluid systems. River crossings of this scale require extensive pre-bore planning including geotechnical investigation, hydraulic analysis, Army Corps of Engineers coordination, and a detailed inadvertent fluid return prevention and response plan. Call (405) 409-7423 to discuss a river crossing project with our team.

How long does it take to bore under a railroad track in Oklahoma?
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The construction phase of a railroad crossing bore typically takes 2 to 5 days depending on the casing diameter, soil conditions, and the number of tracks being crossed. Most of this time is the actual jack and bore or HDD operation. However, the permit and approval process from BNSF or Union Pacific takes 60 to 90 days from a complete permit application submission. Total project timeline from initial application to completed crossing is typically 90 to 120 days for a straightforward railroad crossing. Projects near major classification yards or on densely trafficked mainlines may require additional coordination and take longer.

What happens if there is an inadvertent drilling fluid return during a river crossing?
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An inadvertent return, sometimes called a frac-out, occurs when drilling fluid migrates through the formation and surfaces at an unplanned location, potentially in the riverbed or water surface. This is the primary environmental risk for river crossing bores. Trinity Boring Solutions prepares a detailed inadvertent return prevention and response plan as part of every river crossing bore plan. Prevention measures include appropriate bore depth, controlled drilling fluid pressure, continuous monitoring of fluid returns, and immediate bore pause if fluid loss is detected. If a surface return occurs, the bore is immediately stopped, the return location is contained using spill response materials, and notification is made to the Army Corps of Engineers and Oklahoma DEQ as required by the permit. Bentonite drilling fluid used in HDD bores is non-toxic and biodegrades naturally, but the notification and containment requirements apply regardless of the material's environmental impact level.