To support a major fiber relocation in downtown Kansas City for K&W Underground, Sellenriek Energy was contracted to drill a 1,060-foot rock bore under interstate 670. Working in the middle of heavy traffic zones and rocky terrain, the team successfully installed a 16-inch casing pipe without cost overruns, delays, or safety issues, delivering results where precision and resilience were non-negotiable.
Keep reading to learn how Sellenriek Energy managed to get it all done!
CHALLENGES
With this project, Sellenriek Energy faced one of its most technically demanding environments yet. The bore had to run beneath a multilane highway in the heart of Kansas City, directly under I-670, requiring a U-shaped path through solid rock, with a 27-foot elevation change on each side.
Traffic control proved just as difficult. Located near a downtown Catholic church, the project required road closures across multiple city blocks to safely weld the 16-inch HDPE pipe before installation. Crews were constantly coordinating with local businesses, managing closures, and staging equipment in high-visibility public areas.
Despite advanced planning and pre-core sampling by MoDOT, a frack-out still occurred, where pressurized drilling fluid unexpectedly escaped through rock fissures to the surface. The crew had to act fast, vacuuming fluid down a steep 26-foot slope from atop an overpass to prevent disruption along the interstate. Add to that the challenge of securing fenced staging space downtown, hauling all drill spoils off-site, and managing tight working conditions, and it became clear, this was a job that would require expertise, grit, and flawless coordination.
PROCESS
Sellenriek Energy led the K&W Underground project from end-to-end. The company rented a 140,000 lb Vermeer directional drill to cut through the rocky subsurface and create a 22-inch bore large enough to accommodate the 16-inch casing.
Key steps included:
- Conducting a pre-job walk to plan traffic control, anticipate risk factors, and identify alternative strategies in the event of fluid loss or frack-outs.
- Securing a fenced area downtown for equipment, ensuring operational efficiency
- Renting and deploying large-scale equipment, including a track hoe for rod box. transfers, fluid vac systems, and specialty tools for deep bore management.
- Coordinating with MoDOT, utility providers, Vermeer, Caterpillar, fencing contractors, and local water districts for logistics and compliance.
- Managing all spoils and drilling fluid responsibility, paying to haul off material and maintain clean site conditions.
Traffic control was a critical component throughout, and the team ensured all activity followed safety best practices and stayed within designated right-of-way corridors.
RESULTS
The project for K&W Underground was completed on time, without budget overruns or safety incidents. The 1,060-foot bore held firm, and all 11 communications pipes were pulled through without resistance. Despite unexpected conditions, the Sellenriek Energy crew adapted quickly, maintained control, and delivered results with minimal disruption to city traffic and stakeholders.
Conclusion
Sellenriek Energy’s work under I-670 stands as an example of what’s possible when deep field expertise meets unwavering commitment. This wasn’t just a directional drilling job, it was a full-scale urban infrastructure challenge that demanded flexibility, technical precision, and round-the-clock perseverance.
“Once we take on a job, we’re going to get it done. Bob Sellenriek always said ‘I don’t like the word can’t.’ That mindset still drives Sellenriek Energy today.” – Bryan Jonas, Supervisor at Sellenriek Energy
For infrastructure projects that can’t afford failure, whether in a major metro or across rural terrain, Sellenriek Energy is your proven partner in delivering the most critical connections.
