Underground Utility Contractor in Winter Haven, FL

Winter Haven is a city in Polk County with an estimated 59,975 residents (2024 Census estimate) on about 33 square miles of land.

Crossings beneath roads and water

A new line often has to get past something: a public road, a railroad, a drainage canal or a body of water between the source and the building it serves. Open-cutting a public road means traffic control, a permit from the road's owner and pavement restoration; crossing water in an open cut is rarely practical at all. Directional drilling is the usual alternative.

In a directional bore, a rig on one side drills a pilot hole along a planned path beneath the obstacle to an exit point on the other side. The hole is enlarged as needed and the pipe or conduit is pulled back through it. The surface is disturbed only at the two ends.

Whether a bore is feasible depends on its length, the size of what is being installed, the ground and the existing utilities near the path; we check each before confirming the method. The owners of the road, the railroad or the water body usually have to approve the crossing.

We also take on shorter, simpler jobs, such as water services, sewer laterals and storm connections, for homeowners, businesses and public owners.

Notice and approvals

Sunshine 811 receives locate requests under Chapter 556, Florida Statutes, before excavation. The law (section 556.105) sets the notice at no less than two full business days, weekends and holidays excluded, and keeps a ticket valid for 30 calendar days. Crossings of public roads, railroads or waterways also need the approval of their owners.

Around Winter Haven

Eagle Lake, Auburndale, Lake Alfred, Lake Hamilton, Dundee and Haines City are among the communities near Winter Haven. We serve those places as well.

For a crossing, send a sketch or an aerial photo showing where the line must start and end and what lies between.

We review it and reply with questions and the approach we recommend.