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Jack and Bore

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Jack and Bore is a trenchless method of sewer construction. It is suitable for installing short pipe runs in stable and dry soils without large boulders.

Crews dig a sending pit and a receiving pit to install a new sewer pipe. They place a jack and bore machine in the sending pit and cut a hole underground horizontally from the sending pit to the receiving pit, without disturbing the surface above. As the machine drills the hole, it also functions like a jack hammer to push the new sewer pipe in place.

The work involves the following steps: 

  • Dig a sending and a receiving pit to the required depth.
  • Place a jack and bore machine into the sending pit.
  • Use the machine to cut a hole through the ground and push the new sewer pipe in place.
  • Remove the jack and bore machine.
  • Connect the new pipe to the existing public sewer.
  • Cover open pits with steel plates—or secure the pits with fencing—at the end of each day as needed while work is in progress.
  • Backfill pits with sand or gravel and apply temporary asphalt patches.
  • Conduct quality control inspections.
  • Complete permanent pavement restoration of patched pits after work passes inspections.
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