Polivka International, based in Charlotte, NC, specializes in railroad construction, project management, and industrial site development and is known for its expertise in rail infrastructure design and construction. Currently, they are set to conduct production drilling at a railroad site in Maryland using two Comacchio drill rigs rented from International Construction Equipment, Inc. (ICE®). Known for their efficiency and reliability in drilling operations, the Comacchio CH 650 multipurpose drilling rig and Comacchio MC 8D were the perfect choice for this project.  

The CH series are multipurpose units, designed to ensure quick rigging, high performance, safety, and reliability. Other benefits of the extremely versatile CH 650 rig are that it is self-erecting, can be transported with minor disassembly and it is designed to cover a wide range of drilling technologies. Polivka is utilizing the CH 650 for production drilling, however it can also be used for bored piles, continuous flight augers (CFA piles), displacement piles and soil mixing. On the other side of the Comacchio spectrum, the Comacchio MC 8D is a compact drill rig that features a telescopic mast capable of drilling rods of different lengths without the application of mast extensions and will be used for some interesting coring work for the construction of a retaining wall.

Production drilling plays a crucial role in railway construction and maintenance. For instance, production drilling is used to create deep foundations which provide stability and support for railway tracks, especially in areas with weak or unstable soil. It is also essential for installing drainage systems, facilitates the installation of underground utilities, and helps minimize environmental impact by reducing soil disturbance and preventing contamination of surrounding areas. Lastly and most importantly, using advanced drilling equipment ensures efficient and safe drilling operations, which are critical for meeting project timelines and maintaining high safety standards.

Thanks to the professionals at Polivka International this stretch of railway infrastructure will soon be able to significantly and positively affect transportation options, economic growth opportunities and environmental sustainability. The ICE® Drilling Team is thrilled to be able to provide Polivka with the deep foundation equipment necessary to accomplish this job quickly and safely and looks forward to partnering with them again in the future.