Installing Utilities for Railroad & Train Tracks

Utilities that have to cross a rail corridor cannot be open-cut. Railroads do not allow trenches through active track, so every water, gas, electric, and fiber line that crosses a railway gets installed by boring beneath it. Trinity Boring Solutions is a railroad boring contractor serving Oklahoma and Texas, installing utility casings and conduits under Class I main lines, short lines, spurs, and industrial sidings.

Rail crossings are permit-driven work. Each railroad has its own engineering specifications for depth of cover, casing wall thickness, and boring method, and most require an approved utility crossing agreement before a rig ever shows up. We prepare bore plans that match those specifications, coordinate flagging through the railroad, and keep the bore documented from pilot shot to pullback.

How Does Directional Boring Under Railroad & Train Tracks Work?

Most rail crossings call for a cased bore: a steel casing installed under the track bed with the carrier pipe pulled through inside it. Depth of cover typically runs 5.5 feet or more below the base of rail, and casings extend well past the toe of the ballast on both sides. Our crews bore from launch pits set back off the right-of-way, hold line and grade under the track, and install casing sized for the carrier — water, sewer, gas, electric duct banks, or fiber conduit. Track settlement is the thing railroads care about most, which is why boring methods that remove spoil in a controlled way and keep the bore fully supported are specified for nearly every crossing.

What Permits, Crossing Agreements & Flagging Are Required?

Before boring under any track, the utility owner or contractor needs a crossing agreement with the railroad — BNSF, Union Pacific, CPKC (Kansas City Southern), Stillwater Central, and the short lines that cross Oklahoma and Texas each run their own process. Submittals usually include a plan and profile drawing of the bore, casing specifications, and proof of insurance meeting railroad limits. Once approved, work happens under the railroad’s flagging protection. We build these requirements into the bid so there are no surprises between award and dig day.

What Rail Corridor Work Has Trinity Done Recently?

Our estimating desk regularly takes off boring line items on rail projects across the region, including siding extensions and utility relocations for rail contractors. We work as the boring subcontractor to general contractors and rail civil contractors, or directly for utility owners crossing the corridor.

Railroad Boring Contractor FAQs

How deep does a bore under railroad tracks have to be?

Most railroads require at least 5.5 feet of cover from the base of rail to the top of casing, and more for pressurized carriers. The exact depth is set by the railroad’s utility crossing specification for that line.

Do I need the railroad’s permission to bore under tracks?

Yes. Every crossing requires a utility crossing agreement or permit from the railroad that owns the corridor, along with insurance that meets the railroad’s limits and flagging protection during the work.

Does the casing have to be steel?

Steel casing is the default for most rail crossings because it protects the carrier pipe from track loading. Wall thickness is dictated by casing diameter and the railroad’s specification.

What does a railroad bore cost?

Cost depends on casing diameter, bore length, soil conditions, and the railroad’s permit and flagging requirements. Send us the plan sheet and we will return a firm number, usually within one business day.