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The Canadian government has committed over $180 billion over 12 years to infrastructure through the Investing in Canada Plan, and this plan incorporates funding for trading ports, public transit, energy systems, broadband networks, natural spaces, community services and more. Urbanization is increasing hastily with the speed of a mile per minute, and the construction and infrastructure industry has a monolith’s share of this. While there are many pieces of machinery that have worked coherently to propel infrastructure development forward, today, we will be talking about the horizontal drilling machine (HDD).

(Source: https://housing-infrastructure.canada.ca/plan/about-invest-apropos-eng.html )

While conventional drilling is all about large-scale disruption and excavation, HDD offers a less invasive, cost-effective and efficient method for boring. Wondering how HDD is shaping modern infrastructure? Well, let’s dig deeper into its top applications to uncover the benefits it brings to the table.

Water and Sewer Line Installations

When we are talking about installing water and sewer lines, HDD is one of the most preferred methods, especially in urban areas. Conventional excavation processes can cause road closure, traffic jams, and even disturb existing utilities. However, with HDD, utilities can be installed under roads, rivers, and buildings without affecting any surface activities. With this non-invasive machinery, construction companies don’t just save time; they also reduce the costs associated with restoring disrupted areas while minimizing the risk of damaging existing underground infrastructure.

Fiber Optic Cable Deployment

If you think surviving without the internet is impossible on your part, it’s high time you thank HDDs for their existence. Fast and reliable internet demands the deployment of fibre-optic cables, and HDD plays a vital part in laying these high-speed cables in both urban and rural areas with minimal surface disruption. Whether it’s threading fibre cables under busy city streets or across challenging terrains like rivers, HDD can always work seamlessly and efficiently. It eliminates the need for open-cut trenches and ensures businesses and residents in the area experience little to no downtime during the installation.

Oil and Pipeline Installation

In the oil and gas industry, HDD is commonly used to install pipelines over long distances, especially in environmentally sensitive or challenging terrains. In addition, this method also provides better environmental protection and reduces the risks of spills or leaks during installation. Not to mention, the trenchless nature of HDD allows these pipelines to be installed more quickly and safely, ensuring that operations remain on schedule.

Electrical Power Line Installation

Underground electrical power lines are becoming increasingly popular as a more resilient alternative to above-ground lines. They are less susceptible to damage from weather events, which can reduce power outages. HDD is the go-to method for installing these power lines underground, offering minimal disruption to neighbourhoods, commercial zones, and natural landscapes. Whether it’s a residential area or a remote wind farm, HDD ensures that power can be delivered with minimal environmental impact.

Conclusion: The Future is Trenchless

There’s no denying that a horizontal directional drill can be a game-changer as a trenchless method for installing underground utilities. It can work brilliantly for situations where traditional excavation would be disruptive, expensive, or impractical. However, the equipment comes at a hefty cost, which is why most construction businesses have yet to upgrade to this machinery. However, Elvaan Equipment Solutions now offers top-of-the-line horizontal drilling machines at affordable rates. Curious about how HDD could be applied to your next infrastructure project? Reach out to our experts and discover the possibilities today!