Total Trenchless Ltd.

09/28/2025

Akkerman guided boring systems paired with Michael Byrne Manufacturing boring equipment has been our go to for accurate installations for many years! Manufacturers support is second to none! Always appreciate the timely responses and parts dispatch. 👷🏼‍♂️

Under the busy lanes of HWY 63 near Fort McMurray, AB, Total Trenchless Ltd. tackled challenging raveling sand conditions with precision and innovation!

Using a multi-step approach with the Akkerman 240A GBM, they first established accurate line and grade, followed by guided pipe ramming with a TT Hammer, and finished with spoil removal using an MBM auger bore machine to install 345-LF. of 36-in steel casing. With the help of Akkerman’s lubrication system and precise guidance tools, the team-maintained face pressure and completed the bore with no disruption to surface traffic.

This project is a powerful example of innovation in action—combining pilot tube technology and pipe ramming to navigate tough ground and tight tolerances! Read the full case study to learn more about the project and equipment at: https://bit.ly/41NsN0o

08/19/2025

Nice little project in Belle Plaine, Saskatchewan. Five guided boring crossings under active rail lines. All the installations are being placed from a common pit for new underground infrastructure to support the growing potash mining industry. Our crew is chugging along and getting excellent support from our client! The equipment supplied by Michael Byrne Manufacturing and Akkerman is the best in the biz and ensures our success! Big Thanks to the crew and the consistent support we receive from the equipment suppliers!

06/11/2025

Another guided auger boring install. This one is into an existing manhole for a new development. Confined space is commonplace in the industry. Entering a manhole to disassemble pilot tubes isn’t easy and requires the efforts of a highly trained, ambitious workforce.

All precautions are taken to protect the workers. Workers receive job specific confined space training and the skills required are practiced. Confined space specific hazard assessments outline the controls required to protect the workers from identified hazards. An air exchanger may be needed to de-risk the confined space. Air quality must be checked prior to entry and monitored during the occupation of the manhole. The entrant must wear a body harness which is connected to a mechanical rescue winch to quickly evacuate the entrant in the event of changing conditions or personal injury. These environments may also require the use of a supplied air breathing apparatus (SABA) if the air quality cannot be controlled.

Protecting our greatest assets (👷🏽the people👷🏼‍♂️) is the most important task associated with accomplishing our work. If we do things right, it is less likely that anything will go wrong.

Kudos to the dedicated personnel who are willing and able to do the tough work required to complete these projects!!

05/24/2025

A couple crews are installing casing under Deerfoot Trail here at home in Calgary. Sizes ranging from 24” to 72”. The North/South transportation artery runs somewhat parallel to the Bow River in the South of Calgary and the ground conditions around the river are tough! These crossings are being installed by way of guided pipe ramming. This is where all the toughest tools come out! 👷🏼‍♂️

09/30/2024

We support and recognize the need for reconciliation, today and everyday!

We must all continue to work for a brighter future for Indigenous peoples in Canada, work towards creating new solutions that better the relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.

While many of the 94 calls to action have been initiated and are underway, there is still so much room for improvements. We’ve made progress but the work is far from complete.

The wounds opened long ago may take many generations to heal.

08/13/2023

Doing it safely and responsibly out on a railway project where we’re replacing a dozen culverts and decommissioning the old ones. We’ve got a couple of our Michael Byrne Manufacturing boring rigs cleaning out some pipe rammed culverts and a couple of our TT Technologies Ta**us hammers easily installing these big inch tubes through sandy cobble and boulders. Working along side Kamloops lake takes a few extra environmental considerations. This site has plenty of native wildlife, potential archaeological sites, sensitive waterways, fire risks at a remote site, limited workspace and extremely hot temperatures. The crews are equipped with large volumes of water, pumps, fire hoses, a water truck and other fire suppression tools and equipment. Hot work in these conditions requires 2 hour fire watch after completion. We must complete the work while mitigating our typical safety hazards, risks to the clients property, the wildlife and the environment, it takes a team……..and that’s what we’ve got!! We have assembled an excellent group that is battling through it!

09/30/2022

Orange Shirt Day began in British Columbia in 2013 when a residential school survivor, Phyllis Webstad, shared her story of having her shiny new orange shirt taken away on her first day at a residential school. Since then, Orange Shirt Day has been an opportunity for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, governments, schools and communities to share a common interest in reflecting on the truths and effects of past events and injustices.

Our group recognizes the ever growing need for reconciliation, and building and strengthening relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.

08/04/2022

We’re out pipelining again! Beautiful scenery at this location down in Southern Alberta. 48” pipe ramming crossing for new natural gas main. Great looking site, housekeeping is of the utmost importance when we’re out on a clients location. Kudos to the installation team, another successful hole for the records!! 🙌🏻

07/15/2022

It is with heavy hearts we share with you the loss of a dear friend, co-worker and mentor. Garry Unger will be missed by our work family and industry friends. We collectively hold thousands of fond memories of our experiences along side Garry over the years. His quick wit always kept us amused during the toughest of work days.

Garry was in the under ground drilling business for the majority of his life. He started in 1984 with a small, newly formed company. He worked tirelessly through the years and became what we consider to be the best in our industry. With 38 years in the same occupation he was an encyclopedia of knowledge and experience, an advisor and teacher to his many apprentices. Garry took great pride in his work and his ethics were second to none.

Thank you Garry for your loyalty, friendship, kindness, humbleness, good humour, patience and hard work through the years. You will be missed dearly.

06/17/2022

We installed 390’ of 48” casing for a new water main under Calgarys busiest freeway. Through perseverance and hard work our crew put the Akkerman pilot tubes through the very dense sandy clay ground. Followed up with 30” intermediate casing before pushing the final 48” heavy wall casing. Our Michael Byrne Manufacturing 48/60” - 1.1 million pound boring rig excavated, pulled soil back and pushed that big inch casing effortlessly. The general public continues about their business completely unaware of the work taking place beneath their tires! Nice job team!

05/20/2022

An interesting project we took part in at the Alberta Legislature buildings in Edmonton Alberta. We installed two 42” surface casings for our friends at Omni Directional to assist in their HDD installations. New power supply cables are being routed into the utility rooms for the site. The scenery was nice and spring has sprung along the North Saskatchewan River in downtown Edmonton.

04/05/2022

Biggest diameter pilot tube install to date!

Guided auger boring has become one of the most common applications for guided boring systems in North America.