Australia’s unique river systems play a huge part in our daily lives. Vital for industry and farming, water supplies for our populations, and supporting flora, fauna, and culture, we as humans have been drawn to rivers over the ages.
But with proximity to rivers comes the need to cross them. And when it comes to infrastructure (such as sewer or electrical lines) needing to cross a river, there’s a few options.
More than one way to cross a river
Pipe bridges and through-river options, such as trenching, are the most traditional methods of infrastructure river crossings. But as technology has progressed, we now have the option of installing infrastructure crossings via more modern means: trenchless options, such as HDD.
HDD brings some major advantages when it comes to river crossings. Avoiding the comparatively high cost of a bridge, as well as the detrimental environmental effects of trenching, a well-planned and designed HDD river crossing allows the pipeline to be drilled and installed under the river without disturbing water or riverbanks at all. And by drilling the pipeline deep underground (and underwater), it’s less likely to be damaged by human disturbance or events such as natural disaster, providing a long-term, cost-effective solution for years to come.
Current river crossing project: Currumbin Creek HDD Crossings – 4 x crossings (sewer, water, recycled water)
Great HDD river crossings
But don’t take our word for it. In recognition of World Rivers Day this Sunday, check out some of the recent HDD river crossings from around Australia, for which we are proud to have provided trenchless design and engineering – such as Auckland Creek, Isle of Capri, and Mardi to Warnervale. We’re also currently working on a number of HDD river crossing designs planned for the future, so stay up to date with our latest projects via our Experience page.