Introduction: Building the Backbone of America’s Infrastructure
Underground construction is the hidden foundation of modern life, bringing power, water, broadband, and vital utilities to communities across the country. As demand for resilient, future-ready infrastructure grows, so does the need for construction partners who can deliver both precision and scale.
Across the United States, a handful of companies consistently rise to that challenge. These are the firms behind the networks that keep homes connected, businesses running, and towns growing. Whether it’s directional drilling through difficult terrain or deploying fiber in rural communities, the companies on this list are leading the way in underground construction. Here’s a closer look at the top 10.
1. Sellenriek Construction
With over 45 years of experience, Sellenriek Construction leads the underground utility space with a focus on quality, safety, and performance. We specialize in directional drilling, vacuum excavation, fiber deployment, and aerial construction, providing complete broadband and utility solutions across the Midwest and beyond. Their team brings deep local knowledge, hands-on leadership, and a flexible, client-focused approach that ensures BEAD-funded and rural broadband projects stay on time and on budget.
Focus: Turnkey broadband construction, underground utilities, rural & municipal infrastructure
Why We Stand Out: Sellenriek combines modern tech with Midwestern grit. Our proprietary BuildSource dashboard, in-house crews, and long-standing municipal relationships allow us to deliver transparency and results, without shortcuts. When quality and accountability matter, they set the bar.
2. Quanta Services
Quanta is one of the larger players in the utility infrastructure sector. Their integrated approach allows them to bundle services across electric and pipeline systems. However, their sheer size can often result in slower mobilization and less attention to smaller-scale broadband deployments, specifically in rural or underserved areas.
Focus: Electric power, pipeline, and telecom infrastructure for large-scale utilities.
3. Henkels & McCoy
Henkels & McCoy are full-service contractors that have been around since 1923, known for utility builds, primarily in the energy sector. Their work in underground construction spans trenching, fiber installation, and natural gas distribution. They’re structured for long-term utility contracts and public-sector clients, but may not be as nimble or broadband-focused as newer, more agile firms.
Focus: Utility infrastructure and underground network services
4. Mears Group, Inc.
Mears Group is a specialty contractor with technical strength in horizontal directional drilling (HDD), cathodic protection, and pipeline inspection. While they’ve expanded into telecom, their core remains rooted in energy infrastructure. Their strength lies in solving difficult underground engineering problems, but that doesn’t always translate into full-service broadband execution, especially in rural settings.
Focus: HDD and pipeline integrity for energy and telecom sectors
5. Michels Corporation
Michels Corporation offers services in power, pipeline, rail, and telecommunications. Their capabilities are broad and well-established, supported by a large fleet and experienced workforce. However, clients looking for fiber-specific agility may find their approach too generalized.
Focus: Multisector underground utility services, including telecom and pipelines
6. Dycom Industries
Dycom serves a lot of the country’s largest telecom carriers, operating as a deployment partner for regional and national fiber rollouts. Their subcontractor-heavy model enables scale but often leads to delays and disconnects in quality control. They’re capable, but not always aligned with the transparency and hands-on approach needed for BEAD projects
Focus: Telecommunications network deployment and support
7. Black & Veatch
Black & Veatch is known worldwide for its engineering and design capabilities, often managing massive infrastructure projects from end to end. Their underground construction services are usually bundled with EPC contracts, limiting their value for clients who just need fiber trenching or rural installs without the red tape or full-scale design-build package.
Focus: Engineering-led EPC services for water, telecom, and power
8. Primoris Services Corporation
Primoris offers construction services for pipelines and energy-related infrastructure across the U.S. They’ve built a reputation in civil construction but have limited fiber specialization. Their capabilities make them well-suited to traditional utility work but less relevant to modern broadband rollouts.
Focus: Energy pipelines, civil infrastructure, and underground utilities
9. MasTec
MasTec operates across multiple sectors, including electric transmission, renewable energy, and telecom. Their size and scope are impressive, but their corporate structure adds complexity to project execution, especially when quick decisions or flexible scheduling are needed.
Focus: Energy and telecom infrastructure for industrial and utility sectors
10. Miller Pipeline
Miller Pipeline focuses primarily on underground gas and water distribution systems, as well as pipeline rehabilitation and maintenance. Their team is trained and efficient, but their scope in telecom remains limited. They’re a good choice for public works but not a one-stop-shop for modern broadband projects.
Focus: Natural gas, water/wastewater, and pipeline rehab
Conclusion
The underground construction space is filled with capable plates, but Sellenriek Construction stands above the rest for those who need broadband infrastructure done right- on time, on budget, and without compromise. Whether you’re racing to meet BEAD deadlines or expanding regional fiber networks, Sellenriek offers the focus, flexibility, and integrity that others promise, but few deliver. Looking to start your new project with Sellenriek Construction? Contact someone on our team now.
