Utility Trenching in San Antonio, Austin & Central Texas
Ridge Rock Excavation cuts trenches for underground utility lines, pipelines, and communication lines through Central Texas rock and soil. We give utility crews a clean, uniform trench to lay pipe and conduit in, working from offices in Selma (San Antonio) and Pflugerville (Austin).
What Utility Trenching Covers
- Trenching for underground cable and conduit
- Pipeline trenching
- Communication and fiber optic conduit (see fiber trenching)
- Trenching in rock, caliche, and soil (see rock trenching)
Utility Trenching Capabilities
| Line types | Utility lines, pipelines, communication lines |
|---|---|
| Ground types | Rock, caliche, and soil |
| Service area | San Antonio, Austin, and the I-35 corridor |
Utility Trenching Questions
How deep are utility lines buried?
Burial depth is set by the utility owner’s specifications and the applicable code, not by the trencher. For example, the National Electrical Code (Table 300.5) sets minimum cover for underground electrical wiring, commonly 18 inches for PVC conduit and 24 inches for direct-burial cable in general locations. Always build to the project drawings. We trench to the depth your specs call for.
Who calls 811 before digging?
Texas law (Utilities Code Chapter 251) requires the excavator to notify Texas811 at least 48 hours before digging, excluding weekends and holidays, so underground lines can be marked.
What do you need from me for a quote?
The job location, total trench length, required width and depth, the ground type if you know it (rock, caliche, or soil), the type of line going in, and your target start date. Photos help.
Do utility trenches need shoring?
OSHA’s excavation standard (29 CFR 1926.652) requires a protective system (sloping, shoring, or a trench box) for trenches 5 feet deep or more, unless the excavation is made entirely in stable rock. A competent person must still inspect the trench and conditions.
Who You’re Working With
Ridge Rock Excavation is run by Kyleigh Clark (owner and managing member), whose background is in construction job costing and financial controls, and Wes Clark (operations advisor), who brings more than 25 years of trenching and heavy-equipment experience on projects across the United States in a wide range of soil and rock conditions. Read more about our team.
Get a Trenching Quote
Send us the location, trench length, depth, ground type, and start date. Or call 210-236-0008.