It was a single-lane trail with no turnaround and one access point for 6,500 feet of installation. Conventional multi-pass methods projected 30 days of repeated equipment mobilizations through the bottleneck. CPNA completed the entire project in three days—averaging 2,150 feet daily while equipment could only move one direction. 

When PG&E and UCS/Mastec needed underground infrastructure along Jeep Trail Road near Clear Lake, the project faced severe logistical constraints. This remote single-lane trail installation required approximately 6,500 feet of 6-inch HDPE conduit at 42-inch depth, with conventional excavation projected to take 30 days. The utility needed one-pass trenching contractors capable of working efficiently in extreme access conditions while meeting aggressive schedule demands. 

The Challenge: Single-Lane Access with No Turnaround 


Jeep Trail Road presented extreme working constraints as a single-lane trail where equipment trailers could not turn around. Only one access point served the entire project, creating a sequential bottleneck for equipment and material delivery. The route included numerous tight turns and switchbacks that limited equipment maneuverability. Extremely dry and dusty soil conditions added environmental challenges throughout the work zone. The 30-day conventional excavation timeline reflected these access constraints, as traditional multi-pass methods would require repeated equipment mobilizations through the single entry point. PG&E required specialized contractors who could complete the installation with minimal equipment passes while working within severe access limitations. 

CPNA's Solution: Single-Pass Installation in Constrained Corridor 


CPNA deployed its one-pass trenching system for the restrictive access environment. The integrated approach combined excavation, 6-inch HDPE conduit placement at 42-inch depth, and backfilling into a continuous operation. CPNA's equipment maintained an average production rate of 2,150 feet per day through the challenging terrain and access constraints. The single-pass methodology eliminated the need for multiple equipment mobilizations on the narrow trail corridor. 

Measurable Results: 90% Timeline Reduction 


CPNA completed the 6,500-foot installation in three days, reducing the conventional 30-day timeline by 90%. All 6-inch HDPE conduit was successfully installed at the specified 42-inch depth despite the extreme access constraints. The compressed timeline eliminated 27 days of access restrictions on Jeep Trail Road. 

Strategic Takeaway: Efficiency in Extreme Constraints 


This Redbud project demonstrates how specialized one-pass trenching contractors deliver superior outcomes when severe access limitations threaten project timelines and logistics. CPNA's integrated approach eliminated the repeated equipment mobilizations that make access-constrained projects inefficient with conventional methods. The 90% timeline reduction proves that turnkey underground cable projects provide exceptional value when access constraints multiply the inefficiencies of traditional multi-pass installation. For utilities managing infrastructure work on narrow corridors with limited access, integrated installation services transform logistical obstacles into manageable execution. 

Ready to solve access-constrained underground installations? Contact CPNA to learn how our one-pass trenching solutions deliver timeline reductions in challenging terrain. 

Project Specifications: 

  • Location: Redbud, Jeep Trail Rd., Clear Lake, CA 

  • Scope: Approximately 6,500 feet of 6" HDPE conduit 

  • Installation Depth: 42 inches of cover 

  • Site Conditions: Single-lane trail, one access point, tight turns and switchbacks, extremely dry and dusty soil 

  • Production Rate: 2,150 linear feet per day average 

  • Timeline Performance: 3 days actual vs. 30 days conventional (90% reduction)