Underground Railroad Crossings in Oklahoma: What Contractors Need to Know

Installing utilities under an active railroad track is one of the most regulated and technical underground construction operations in the industry. Railroad companies in Oklahoma, including BNSF Railway, Union Pacific, and various short line carriers, impose strict requirements on any utility installation within their right-of-way, including crossings beneath their tracks. These requirements typically mandate steel casing pipe sized to accommodate the carrier pipe with required annular clearance, specific casing lengths extending beyond the right-of-way limits, casing ends sealed with appropriate end seals, and continuous bore and jack or directional drilling operations without stopping once begun.

The railroad company’s engineering department must review and approve crossing plans before any work can begin. This review process evaluates the proposed crossing location, depth, pipe size, casing design, installation method, construction procedures, and safety measures for protecting track integrity during construction. Trinity Boring Solutions prepares the crossing documentation required by the railroad company and manages the review and approval process on behalf of our clients, reducing the complexity of this coordination for project owners who may not be familiar with railroad right-of-way requirements.

Railroad crossing permits typically require a licensed railroad engineering contractor designated by the railroad company to be present during construction to monitor track geometry and ensure compliance with the approved construction procedures. We have established working relationships with engineering contractors serving Oklahoma’s railroad companies and coordinate their involvement in our railroad crossing projects. This oversight relationship ensures that track integrity is maintained throughout the crossing installation and that the work is documented to the railroad’s satisfaction.

In addition to railroad company requirements, crossings within railroad right-of-way may also fall within ODOT jurisdiction where the railroad right-of-way intersects state highway right-of-way. For these dual-jurisdiction situations, we coordinate with both the railroad company and ODOT to obtain all required approvals before commencing work. Visit the Oklahoma Department of Transportation site for information on their utility accommodation requirements that may apply to your project location.

For the open run portions of railroad crossing projects that involve trenching on either side of the rail right-of-way, our trenching services handle these segments. For crossing projects that also include gas line work, see our gas line boring Oklahoma services, as gas pipeline railroad crossings have additional regulatory requirements from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. Our directional drilling contractor page covers HDD capabilities for crossings that may be suitable for directional drilling methods.

Bore and Jack Method for Railroad Crossings

Bore and jack, also called casing installation by augering, is the most common method for installing utility crossings under active railroad tracks in Oklahoma. The method uses a rotating auger inside a steel casing pipe to remove soil ahead of the casing as hydraulic jacks push the casing forward from a launch pit. This process continues until the casing emerges from a reception pit on the opposite side of the tracks.

1. Railroad permit and engineering approval. We prepare and submit the crossing application with all required documentation to the railroad company. After engineering review and approval, we receive the permit authorizing construction and specifying any conditions.
2. Preconstruction survey. Track geometry is surveyed before construction begins to establish a baseline for monitoring during and after construction. This survey protects all parties by documenting track condition before our work begins.
3. Launch and reception pit construction. Pits are excavated to accommodate the boring machine, casing pipe string, and spoil removal on the launch side and to receive the advancing casing on the reception side. Pit depths depend on required crossing depth and casing diameter.
4. Boring equipment setup. The boring machine is set up in the launch pit, aligned with the crossing centerline and inclination. Casing alignment is critical to achieving the required crossing depth at track centerline.
5. Continuous bore and jack operation. Once boring begins, operations continue without stopping to prevent ground relaxation that could cause track settlement. Crew works around the clock on single-track crossings until the casing is advanced through the required length.
6. Carrier pipe installation. After casing installation is complete, the carrier pipe is installed inside the casing with appropriate casing spacers to maintain carrier pipe position. Annular space between carrier and casing is addressed per applicable standards.
7. End seal installation and inspection. Casing ends are sealed with end seals or grout as required by the railroad company and applicable pipeline standards. Final inspection by the railroad’s representative verifies compliance with permit conditions.
8. Pit backfill and site restoration. Launch and reception pits are backfilled and compacted. Railroad property is restored to its pre-construction condition and a final walkover confirms restoration completion.

Safety Requirements for Oklahoma Railroad Crossings

Railroad right-of-way access for construction requires compliance with railroad company safety requirements that go beyond standard OSHA requirements. These typically include railroad safety training certification for all workers entering the right-of-way, flagging protection provided by a qualified railroad flagman during track proximity work, advance notice to the railroad dispatcher before work begins each day, and adherence to the specific safety protocols in the railroad company’s contractor safety handbook. Trinity Boring Solutions ensures all crew members working in railroad right-of-way have current safety certification and that flagging is coordinated per the railroad company’s requirements. We also follow all OSHA excavation standards under 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P for the launch and reception pit excavations, which typically require trench box or shoring support at the depths required for railroad crossings. For general excavation safety guidance, see OSHA excavation standards.

Oklahoma Service Area for Railroad Crossings

We perform railroad crossings throughout Oklahoma wherever rail lines exist. Major railroad corridors include BNSF and Union Pacific mainlines through Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Enid, and other communities. Short line and industrial spurs exist in many smaller communities. Contact us to discuss any railroad crossing requirement anywhere in the state: Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Edmond, Norman, Broken Arrow, Lawton, Moore, Midwest City, Enid, Stillwater, Muskogee, Owasso, Bartlesville, Shawnee, Yukon, Bixby, Jenks, Sapulpa, Ardmore, Ponca City, Claremore, Bethany, Duncan, Altus, McAlester, El Reno, Ada, Chickasha, Sand Springs, Guthrie, Mustang, Choctaw, Durant, Tahlequah, Weatherford, Pryor, Wagoner, Woodward, Elk City, Clinton, and all other Oklahoma communities.