| Construction Method | Auger Boring with SBU-RC |
|---|---|
| Project | Gravity Sewer Interceptor Crossing |
| Location | Bend, Oregon |
Stadeli Boring & Tunneling was contracted to install 323 linear feet of 36-inch steel casing beneath active BNSF railroad tracks in Bend, Oregon as part of the Southeast Interceptor Project. The crossing required strict adherence to line and grade with zero tolerance for deviation under live rail traffic. Subsurface conditions consisted of hard, vesicular basalt with compressive strengths ranging from 3,000 to 15,000 psi, combined with fractured, blocky ground and high abrasivity.
A specialized trenchless solution was implemented utilizing a remote-controlled Small Boring Unit (SBU-RC) paired with a conventional auger boring machine. The system allowed precise, real-time steering corrections and predictive guidance to maintain alignment throughout the bore. Excavation was completed in dry conditions with no groundwater present, and spoils were removed using a high-capacity vacuum system. Initial challenges were resolved through cutterhead modifications and upgraded vacuum capacity.
Following these adjustments, production rates increased significantly, reaching up to 50 feet per day and accelerating the schedule. The installation was completed with exceptional accuracy, producing a straight, uniform bore with no deviation. This project highlights Stadeli Boring & Tunneling’s ability to execute complex trenchless installations in demanding rock conditions with precision and efficiency