Service 04 · Trenchless construction
Horizontal Augering
Install steel casing below roads and rail lines with a guided boring system built for accurate line and grade.
What it does
Large-diameter casing held on line and grade.
Horizontal augering advances steel casing from a launch pit while rotating cutting equipment removes soil from the face. A guided system helps the operator hold the planned line and grade.
The method is a strong fit for gravity systems, large culverts, rural water lines and crossings where accurate casing placement matters.
Syncore operates Akkerman guided boring equipment and publishes experience from 12-inch through 84-inch casing, including a 140-metre, 36-inch crossing beneath two CP rail tracks.
12–84 inPublished steel casing range
140 mPublished rail crossing length
36 inCasing below two CP rail tracks
Good fit for
Where horizontal augering earns its keep.
- Guided line-and-grade boring
- Steel casing from 12 to 84 inches
- Road and rail crossings
- Culverts and gravity infrastructure
- Rural water and utility crossings
- Excavation, augering and carrier pipe coordination
Plan the work
Three things that shape the plan.
- 01
Provide the casing diameter, crossing length, target grade, surface loads and available launch and receiving space.
- 02
Pit design, groundwater, soil stability and spoil handling are key parts of the plan.
- 03
Syncore can coordinate excavation, augering, casing and carrier pipe installation for a more complete package.
Horizontal augering FAQ
Questions to answer before the crew arrives.
These are the questions that help determine whether this is the right method for the job.
01When is augering better than directional drilling?+
Augering is often preferred for large steel casing and projects that need controlled line and grade from a launch pit. Directional drilling is steerable and usually needs less excavation at the ends.
02What casing sizes can Syncore auger?+
Syncore publishes horizontal augering capability from 12 to 84 inches. Length, geology, grade, groundwater and pit access determine what equipment is appropriate.
03Can augering go under rail lines?+
Yes. Syncore's published work includes a 140-metre crossing with 36-inch casing below two CP rail tracks. Rail owner requirements and engineered crossing plans must be addressed before construction.
04What site space is needed?+
Horizontal augering needs a launch pit large enough for the machine and casing sections, plus a receiving area. Exact dimensions depend on the equipment, diameter, depth and site conditions.
05Can Syncore install the carrier pipe too?+
Depending on the scope, yes. The team can coordinate excavation, casing, PVC or HDPE carrier pipe and related underground services.
Start with the crossing
Planning a horizontal augering project?
Send the route, pipe size, location and timing. Syncore will help work out a practical next step.