90-Inch Jack and Bore Pipe Delivers Trenchless Stormwater Solution

How do you install a massive storm drain beneath two active gas transmission lines without interrupting service?

That was one of the challenges facing crews at The Resort at the Arboretum, a growing residential community in North Fontana, California, where new housing and an elementary school are driving the need for expanded infrastructure.

A major component of the development is a new stormwater drainage system designed to transport runoff to a nearby open channel. The system includes approximately 3,800 linear feet of 90-inch reinforced concrete pipe (RCP), designed to accommodate flows approaching 800 cubic feet per second during a 100-year storm event.

Jensen Infrastructure was selected to supply the large-diameter RCP, including a specialized 120-foot section designed to be installed beneath the active gas mains, along with smaller storm drain pipe and manholes.

Installing a storm drain capable of carrying nearly 6,000 gallons of water per second is no small undertaking. But for one critical section of the project, the challenge went well beyond the size of the pipe.

The planned storm drain section needed to cross beneath two active gas transmission lines. Traditional open-trench installation would introduce significant risks to the existing infrastructure, making a trenchless approach necessary to safely complete the crossing without interrupting gas service.

The solution required approximately 120 feet of specially manufactured 90-inch jack pipe capable of withstanding tremendous forces as it was hydraulically pushed through the ground. Crews also needed to contend with challenging subsurface conditions, including large rocks that required breaking and removal during excavation.

With construction of the new elementary school moving forward, delivering the specialized pipe and supporting stormwater infrastructure on schedule was another critical consideration.

Jensen manufactured approximately 120 linear feet of 90-inch reinforced concrete jack pipe specifically designed for installation beneath the active gas mains using the jack-and-bore method.

Rather than excavating from above, crews advanced a boring machine underground while powerful hydraulic presses pushed each section of pipe forward. Excavated soil and rock were continuously removed from inside the pipe, allowing the installation to progress while leaving the gas lines undisturbed.

To support the demanding installation, Jensen incorporated threaded lubrication ports into the pipe, allowing crews to inject lubricant along its exterior to reduce friction during jacking. Steel reinforcement bands at the pipe joints provided additional protection, enabling the pipe system to withstand jacking forces approaching 1,800 tons.

Beyond the specialized crossing, Jensen leveraged production capabilities across five manufacturing facilities to supply the project’s full range of storm drain infrastructure, from massive 90-inch RCP to 18-inch catch basin connections and precast manholes.

The coordinated effort helped keep construction moving on a major infrastructure investment supporting new homes, a future elementary school, and the continued growth of North Fontana.

Need to install RCP without digging a trench? Contact Jensen Infrastructure today.