New rock drill adds to boring power

At BEI Construction, we’re known for our ability to deliver precision projects to clients who need help with technology infrastructure, energy, security, and more. What you may not know is that projects often take us underground, and we provide directional boring and underground construction services on building, electrical, and energy projects. BEI recently added a new rock drill to its arsenal of boring and drilling equipment.

Powerful enough to take on blue granite—one of the hardest rocks to bore through—the rock drill joins BEI’s existing jet track universal 30/20 machines, which are ideally suited for boring through normal soil conditions. But with boring, the drills are just the beginning of the equipment needed. BEI operates Ditch Witch vacuum trailers to remove debris, reel trailers to feed continuous pipe, and utility locator equipment. Plus, BEI has the highly skilled teams required to drive directional boring projects accurately and safely.

“We can bore around utilities and under buildings,” says BEI Vice President Dave Rantz. “Directional boring can be done with a surprisingly low impact in challenging areas. It’s a safe and efficient way to create conduits for gas, electricity, and telecommunications cables. We’ve done drilling projects at schools while classes are in session. The disruption is minimal, which is especially valuable when a client needs access to underground infrastructure in a hurry.”

Full turnkey service
BEI delivers end-to-end directional boring service. That means we’re able to respond to client needs without having to source equipment—which can be difficult in times of high demand. Jobs often start with our team locating existing utilities, and may include the need to pour pads that equipment is then mounted upon. The team adheres to leading safety and compliance standards at all times.

“When it comes to safety, skill, and efficiency, the underground team at BEI is second to none,” says Principal Dominic DiMare. “The precision of the directional boring process lets us work around underground items safely. We even have the ability to locate existing utilities. An experienced crew runs the show, and when we’re done, we can carry out a complete backfill and restoration using a variety of materials.”

Going underground
The BEI team has delivered an array of successful directional boring projects. In Jackson, California, BEI recently put its rock drill to work to put 3 inch pipe through 1,500 feet of blue granite. Another project involved boring under the Guadalupe Parkway—while the highway was in use. A project on Ocala Avenue in San Jose required that we drill, without causing disruption, near the San Jose Airport. In San Francisco, there are many old, unmarked underground utilities and underground items that have been moved in earthquakes. We successfully worked around both on a project under the University of San Francisco.

“With directional boring, no two projects are alike,” says Dave Rantz. “When drilling through dirt, you can go 500-1,000 feet in a day. Drilling into granite with a rock drill could take months to go a few hundred feet. For both, you need the right people and equipment. That’s what we offer on every job.”