Auger Boring Services

Steel casing installations for road, railroad, and underground utility crossings

Atlas Group provides auger boring services for contractors, utilities, and project owners across West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Virginia, and Maryland. We install steel casing from 8 to 84 inches, with the equipment and approach selected for your crossing’s dimensions, ground conditions, and alignment requirements.

Whether your plans call for a conventional jack and bore or a guided installation, our team reviews the crossing before mobilization. We evaluate access, elevations, casing requirements, and available subsurface information so you can understand what the work requires before the equipment arrives.

Call (304) 460-7300 or contact us with your project location, plans, and anticipated schedule.

• Steel casing installation from 8 to 84 inches, subject to project conditions.
• Conventional auger boring, guided auger boring, and pilot tube boring.
• Road and highway crossings, railroad crossings, and utility casing installations.
• Deep and grade-sensitive crossings, including gravity sewer and stormwater applications.
• Soil and rock boring, with tooling selected for the encountered formation.

Feasibility depends on the combination of bore length, diameter, depth, geology, groundwater, access, and required tolerances. Send your specifications so Atlas can evaluate the complete installation rather than casing size alone.

Your crossing needs a crew that can prepare for the work, recognize changing conditions, and make informed decisions during installation. Atlas brings that approach to planning, setup, and bore monitoring.

Preparation before mobilization

Atlas provides project-specific pit requirements before mobilization. When possible, we evaluate prepared pits and elevations before bringing the complete boring operation to the site. This helps identify setup issues that could delay the start of work.

Decisions based on the crossing

Atlas performs both auger boring and horizontal directional drilling. We assess the required casing, grade, depth, access, and ground conditions to help determine which approach fits. We also evaluate whether pilot tube guidance is warranted for the project’s tolerances and risk.

Experienced monitoring throughout the bore

Our operators monitor casing movement, alignment, elevation, cutting performance, and returning material. If conditions change, the crew has authority to stop and investigate. Checks may include inspecting the tooling and verifying alignment before work continues.

Atlas installs casing for water, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, natural gas, electrical conduit, telecommunications, and other utility infrastructure. Common applications include:

• Road and highway crossings where excavating across the pavement would disrupt existing infrastructure.
• Railroad crossings requiring controlled installation beneath rail infrastructure.
• Gravity sewer and stormwater installations where the required slope is a key consideration.
• Deep crossings where positioning the machine at the installation elevation may provide a practical approach.

Tell us what the casing will carry and what the finished crossing must achieve. Those requirements help determine the method, tooling, and preparation needed.

Review the plans and conditions

Atlas reviews the proposed path, bore length, casing specifications, elevations, existing utilities, and access. Geotechnical information helps the team assess anticipated ground conditions. If plans or subsurface information are incomplete, we can discuss what is available and what still needs clarification.

Confirm the setup and work responsibilities

Launch and receiving pit requirements vary with the equipment, casing sections, depth, shoring, and working space. Before mobilization, confirm who is responsible for utility verification, pit excavation and shoring, casing supply, carrier pipe installation, and restoration. These responsibilities should be clear in the agreed project scope.

Install and monitor the casing

The machine is set to the planned line and grade. As excavation progresses, rotating augers carry material back through the casing, and additional casing sections are welded into place. Operators monitor progress and evaluate changes that may require inspection or adjustment.

Complete the crossing

Once the casing reaches the receiving point, carrier pipe installation and remaining work proceed according to the project design and agreed responsibilities.

Auger boring, often called jack and bore or horizontal auger boring, is a trenchless method of installing steel casing from a launch pit. A cutting head excavates material while rotating augers transport it back through the casing. The casing advances as excavation progresses, limiting the need for an open trench across the crossing.

Auger boring can suit relatively straight crossings where steel casing, elevation, or grade requirements are central to the design. HDD offers greater flexibility for curved alignments and different access arrangements. Atlas evaluates the complete crossing to help determine the appropriate method; depth or utility type alone does not decide it.

Ground conditions also affect the approach. Loose sand, rock, mixed ground, groundwater, and unexpected obstructions can change the tooling and controls required. Atlas reviews available information and monitors conditions during installation. Guided or pilot tube boring may be considered where additional alignment control is needed.

Atlas Group supports projects in West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Virginia, and Maryland. Contact us with the job location and anticipated construction dates to discuss mobilization, equipment requirements, and scheduling for your crossing.

Send your plans and specifications when available. Useful starting information includes:

• Project location, contact details, and anticipated schedule.
• Bore length, depth, casing diameter, wall thickness, and carrier pipe requirements.
• Starting and ending elevations, required grade, and installation tolerances.
• Geotechnical information, groundwater information, and known utility conflicts.
• Site access, pit requirements, and the work you need Atlas to include.

You do not need every answer before contacting us. Share the information you have so our team can identify the next questions to resolve.

What casing sizes can Atlas install

Atlas works with steel casing from 8 to 84 inches. Suitability depends on bore length, ground conditions, depth, access, and alignment requirements. Our team reviews the specifications before recommending an installation approach.

Can Atlas handle projects with tight grade requirements

Atlas evaluates grade-sensitive installations, including gravity sewer and stormwater crossings. Share the required tolerances so we can assess the setup, monitoring, and whether guided or pilot tube boring is appropriate for the conditions.

Can you bore through rock or mixed ground

Atlas performs rock boring with appropriate tooling. Rock, soil transitions, and unknown obstructions require project-specific evaluation. Available geotechnical information helps the team plan the approach, while operators monitor for changes during the bore.

How long can an auger bore be

There is no single maximum length for every installation. Practical length depends on casing diameter, ground conditions, equipment, access, and required grade. Send the proposed dimensions and plans so Atlas can evaluate feasibility.

What affects the price of an auger bore

Planning and pricing depend on the crossing dimensions, casing specifications, anticipated ground and water conditions, installation tolerances, access, pit requirements, mobilization, and agreed scope. Providing plans and available subsurface information helps Atlas evaluate those factors.

Call (304) 460-7300 or contact us with your project location, plans, and anticipated schedule.

Send your plans, specifications, and available geotechnical information. Atlas Group can review the crossing with you and discuss the boring method, equipment, preparation, and scope needed to move the project forward.