Safety Risks in Construction and Servicing the Utility Infrastructure
Hitting underground utilities during construction poses significant safety risks and can lead to costly service outages. Accurate mapping for safe installation to mitigate risks when installing residential service lines is a top priority, but even with advanced utility locating services, challenges persist. In 2015, Arlington, Virginia, reported 48 incidents of gas line damage despite excavators using utility locating services, underscoring the limitations of existing detection technologies. These incidents highlight the need for more precise installation methods, such as thrust boring, which allow for more controlled and accurate placement of utilities.
Additionally, these methods reduce the need for exploratory digging, which can result in inadvertently damaging unmarked or poorly mapped utilities, leading to costly repairs and project delays.
Critical Infrastructure Compliance and Trenchless Thrust Boring
The adoption of trenchless technologies also supports better compliance with regulations for protecting critical infrastructure and ensuring worker safety. Thrust boring systems like the PE-10 Rod Pusher can be equipped with real-time monitoring tools to track the path of the bore, further reducing the risk of unintended impacts on nearby utilities or structures.
These systems are designed to operate in a variety of soil conditions, from soft clay to rocky terrain, making them versatile for diverse project needs. The efficiency of trenchless methods also translates to reduced labor requirements and shorter project timelines, critical factors in managing costs and meeting tight construction schedules.
With machines like the PE-10, installation of service lines, whether gas, water, or telecom, can be done safer and more efficiently than using traditional excavation, providing better compliance with infrastructure regulations, saving time and money as well.
Economic Concerns and Infrastructure Resiliency
There is a legitimate concern about the economy for those investing in the underground industry. Despite economic uncertainty in the slowing residential construction and new utility installation demand, infrastructure sectors (including utilities) are showing resilience, with a net balance of +13% in workload expectations reported in May 2025.
This resilience is driven by the increasing need to maintain and upgrade aging utility infrastructure, particularly in urban areas with higher population density and reliance on consistent utility services. Trenchless underground solutions are especially valuable in these contexts, allowing for the rehabilitation or replacement of existing service lines without the surface disruption associated with open-cut methods. In older neighborhoods with deteriorating water or gas lines, utilizing trenchless tools can extend the lifespan of service line infrastructure while minimizing impacts on residents and local businesses.
As municipalities and utility companies face increasing pressure to modernize infrastructure while adhering to environmental and budgetary constraints, trenchless methods like thrust boring are set to play a critical role in addressing these challenges, showing potential for opportunities in maintaining or upgrading existing residential service lines, even in rough economic times.
Companies can jump on these opportunities in the growing service line industry with quality trenchless thrust boring tools from manufacturers like PE Equipment and get ahead of the curve on maintenance and installation of water, gas, electric, telecom, etc.