May 26, 2025
Digging trenches and laying pipe might sound old-school, but technology has caught up. At BANR, we blend operator skill with satellite-guided precision. Modern grading equipment uses GPS to stay on-grade down to the inch. That means fewer mistakes, less waste, and tighter timelines.
These days, underground utility work often includes trenching and directional boring. We recently completed a job in Wilsonville replacing aging infrastructure with new lines to support a growing bottling operation. That site had tight clearances, shifting subgrades, and no room for error. With GPS control and seasoned operators, we nailed it.
We also use Control Density Fill (CDF) — a flowable fill material that's evolved over the years. Today’s mixes are stronger, set better, and work great in tight spaces around utility lines. They're easier to pour and reduce the need for compaction in narrow trenches.
But technology only gets you halfway. You need someone who knows when to trust the screen and when to trust their instincts. Sometimes it’s about feel — especially with older lines and unpredictable soil types.
A big issue in the utility world? Improper gravity flow. If the slope’s off, you’ll get pooling in pipes and slow drainage. That’s a recipe for inspection failures and system backups. Depths must be perfect, bedding has to be solid, and backfill must support the pipe without shifting. Get one thing wrong and the inspector will let you know.
At BANR, we don’t play guessing games. We check, re-check, and measure it all — twice. Because underground work should be invisible when it’s done right. But if it fails, it fails big. That’s why we build it like it’s our name on the line. Because it is.
