An innovative trenchless drilling process was recently used to replace failing electrical lines at the Peter J. Camiel Service Plaza on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, eliminating the need to close the service area and the turnpike. The plaza’s three lines were on timers, and after two had failed, turnpike officials knew they needed to replace the lines or face closing the busy service plaza.

J.M.D. Contractors Inc., Philadelphia, PA, contracted with AmeriDrill, a drilling company based in Levittown, PA, to remedy the situation. AmeriDrill, owner and operator of a Vermeer D24x40A Navigator, a horizontal directional drilling machine, bored across the turnpike in four hours with minimal traffic interruptions. Traditional methods could have closed the service plaza, stopped traffic and taken a week or more.

Dennis Moore, president of AmeriDrill, said when it was time to purchase a machine, he knew it was going to be a Vermeer.

“After a lot of research, I decided to go with Vermeer based on the quality of the machine, dealership support, Vermeer’s worldwide dealer network, and the fact that they are number one in the industry,” Moore said.

Christian Ray, sales representative with Vermeer North Atlantic, described some of the benefits of the machine.

“Directional drilling allows us to penetrate the ground much like a mole burrows underground with the exception of surface disruption,” he said. “Once the target is reached, the product is then connected and pulled back with the directional machine. Using such a machine on a busy roadway like the turnpike or in a residential area saves money for the contractor, traffic headaches for travelers, and is much more appeasing to property owners who wish to leave their landscaping intact.”

Ray added that the machine is designed to enhance productivity with the two-handle control in the operator’s station, which reduces operator error and increases control during rotation, thrust and pullback. He also said that the Navigator features a stationary stakedown system, which has independent controls and is permanently attached to the front of the unit so there are no loose pieces.

Ray said this type of drilling is cost efficient.

“Placing lines below the ground allows those lines to be protected, adding to their life span. Continuing to place lines above ground exposes them to the forces of nature as well as traffic, which can ultimately damage or destroy them,” Ray said.

Vermeer North Atlantic also offers a trenchless technology specialist who deals specifically with trenchless drilling issues.

“This added benefit along with all of the features of the Navigator, set Vermeer apart from other manufacturers. With the number of projects we have performed and expect to do in the upcoming months, we’re confident that we have the best machine for the jobs,” Moore explained.

Vermeer North Atlantic Sales & Service, headquartered in Mount Holly, NJ, is an authorized Vermeer Manufacturing Co. equipment dealership serving New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania. The company also has a branch in Highspire, PA, outside of Harrisburg, PA. The dealership carries a complete line of tree, trenching, and concrete cutting products such as brush chippers, stump cutters, and trenchers, as well as compaction and directional boring equipment.

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