Underground utility services, including gas, electric, telecommunications, and sewer, have a significant impact on heavy civil construction, especially as it pertains to infrastructure projects that may intersect with them. These services are necessary for modern-day life.
However, as they age, and as the infrastructure around them ages, such as roads, bridges, and urban development, new ideas and innovative ways of implementing these services are needed in the underground utility sector. Beyond new heavy civil construction projects, there exists the need to maintain, repair, and replace components.
As technology improves, innovative ideas emerge for how to reimagine these systems and services and how the projects are implemented. From planning, installation, and maintenance, underground utility services are evolving, and this evolution may result in changing how heavy civil projects are run in 2026 and beyond.
Increased Adoption of Trenchless Technology
In the past and in many current applications, open excavation is often the only method for accessing pipes, conduits, or cables. This method is expensive, time-consuming, and labor-intensive. Trenchless technology is starting to replace this outdated method, however.
Trenchless technology encompasses directional drilling, pipe bursting, and microtunneling, all of which are easier and faster to implement, less expensive, and far less disruptive than open excavation. Think of it like a laparoscopic surgery for the Earth. It allows project contractors to address the needs of projects, implementing these underground utility services, but without the lengthy, messy, complicated factor of open excavation.
For example, a revolutionary gas pipeline project in North Dakota used the trenchless method of horizontal directional drilling to construct a 15,426-ft, 24-in. steel natural gas pipeline. The attention earned the 2022 project of the year accolade for its innovative construction. As projects are completed, this will become more common than traditional excavation methods.
Integration of Smart Utility Mapping
Technology is the future in nearly every aspect of life, and construction is no different. AI and technology advancements continue to permeate society, providing enhanced data analytics, aiding in BIM, GIS, LiDAR, and improving equipment software. The integrated framework can improve nearly every aspect of a project.
Having access to more accurate mapping and locating means that there is a reduced chance of utility strikes and rework to fix or replace damaged utilities. Underground utility sitework planning will be completed more efficiently and accurately, improving the accuracy of timelines and anticipated bottom lines. Risk management will also be impacted because slim error margins won’t be a problem. Overall, project planning and maintenance can also be improved.
Technology is the future, and heavy civil construction professionals may even start seeing the pervasion of predictive analytics and AI being used in utility planning. While there’s no way this could replace human interaction, it could help save time and help with the pre-construction staging.
Regulatory and Safety Changes
As new technology, construction methods, and innovative ideas change how heavy civil construction and underground utility services projects are completed, expect updates to regulations, as well as changes to the permitting processes.
Safety regulations and permitting processes are based on traditional methods of construction and the use of older materials. When these changes occur, the safety conditions change along with timelines, the project’s progression through each stage, and more. It only makes sense to anticipate that there will be regulatory and safety changes that follow.
Anticipate changes to safety standards that can impact how excavation and utility work are completed; old methods may soon become a thing of the past. Additionally, plan to be compliant with these changes to avoid project delays, fines, or worse.
Labor Shortages and Workforce Modernization
Everyone in construction knows that there is a major skilled labor gap. While more people are turning to the trades versus college, it will take time for them to gain the experience and skills required to complete the work required of underground utility services and heavy civil construction projects.
Additionally, with new technology, existing personnel will need to be trained, and it will take time for them to gain proficiency. Automation, AI, and robotics may help bridge this gap, but there will be a potential learning curve for remote-operated equipment.
Companies that currently invest in professional workforce development should continue to do so, but with special attention to advancements in processes and technology, especially when it comes to new methods of excavation. Those companies not currently investing in development need to start.
The Role of Private-Public Partnerships (P3s)
Another shift in heavy civil construction projects, as well as underground utility services, is public-private partnerships. Government agencies don’t want to raise taxes to fund major infrastructure projects, and many corporations have money to go around, not to mention potential tax benefits from making donations. The result is successful P3 partnerships that pave the way, literally and figuratively, for mega-million dollar improvements.
Collaboration is making it possible to complete larger, expensive projects through grant funding and other partnerships. Not only that, but projects are becoming less expensive as they have more access to better technologies and systems. As the industry moves into 2026, expect to see more large-scale utility upgrades with the collaboration of multiple entities. Additionally, there may be opportunities for cross-sector collaboration among utilities, telecommunications, and transportation.
Looking Forward to 2026
While many of the trends have already made their foray into heavy civil construction, the anticipation is that these trends will continue to proliferate and fully evolve how underground utility systems are maintained, constructed, and even managed. Engineers, contractors, and hiring municipalities would be wise to adapt to these technology-driven changes, staying informed of changes and industry updates, and investing in the future.
Looking for a company that can execute complex projects with precision, skill, and the technological advantage of staying on top of the latest operational methods? Contact Brock Civil to learn how we can help your next heavy civil construction or underground utility service project.
By Brock Civil
