earthmoving

adj

1. (not-comparable)Designed to move large quantities of earth or rubble for civil engineering or building purposes.
2. (comparable, figuratively)Of great significance.

noun

1. (uncountable)The removal of large quantities of soil, e.g. from a construction site.

   “Work was started in January, 1958 and involved considerable earth-moving, as a cutting about 25ft deep was needed to give rail access to a newly acquired site to the north of the station.”