Irmo Residents Face Setbacks as Fiber Optic Company Halts Work

Irmo Residents Face Setbacks as Fiber Optic Company Halts Work

In the lovely town of Irmo, South Carolina, residents are facing some unexpected inconveniences due to the work of a fiber optic company. Lumos Fiber, which has been on a mission to install high-speed internet across the Midlands, has been instructed to stop operations in the Murraywood neighborhood after a mishap that caused significant utility damage.

Utility Damage Disrupts Community

This past week, Lumos Fiber found itself in hot water when their crews accidentally struck a water line on Willow Bend Court, leading to a flood of water cascading down the street. Many households were left without water service for several hours, and the damage to the roadway has raised concerns among local officials. In an email to Lumos, the Lexington County Public Works Department clearly stated, “It is of the best interest to cease work immediately in Lexington County due to the damages done in the Murraywood Subdivision.”

The incident took place on Wednesday, but as more details emerged, it became apparent that the situation was worse than initially thought. Clint Shealy, representing Columbia Water, indicated that they were still assessing the extent of the damage and whether a sinkhole had opened up beneath the pavement. He further noted, “If there isn’t, we’re going to cause one to gain access to the damaged pipe.” The uncertainty of the damage has made residents uneasy, with community members expressing frustration over the situation.

History of Setbacks for Lumos

This isn’t the first time Lumos Fiber has encountered significant setbacks in their attempts to improve internet service. Last year, the company faced serious backlash when their crews caused a series of gas leaks in Columbia, leading to the evacuation of several Elmwood Park residents and the closure of busy Elmwood Avenue. Initially halted, Lumos was later allowed to continue their work in Columbia after the necessary safety protocols were put in place.

Despite the previous setbacks, Lumos remains determined to complete its ambitious project of laying 1,200 miles of fiber-optic cables throughout Richland and Lexington counties. They recently began operations in Irmo, but the latest incident at Murraywood has placed additional hurdles in their expansion plan. While they were approved to install WiFi in town parks and other key areas, the uncertainty around their current situation raises questions about the timeline and future developments.

What’s Next for Irmo Residents?

As Lumos navigates through the current challenges, it remains unclear how long it will take to present a Corrective Action Plan to the Lexington County Public Works Department. A spokesperson for the county mentioned that no specific deadline has been set for Lumos to submit their plan, leaving residents in a state of anticipation about when the work can resume.

With the promise of high-speed internet looming on the horizon, the community is left wondering if this will be another delay in a long list of challenges for the fiber optic company. Residents are eager for the promised improvements to their internet services but are understandably wary given the recent events.

As of now, Lumos Fiber has not publicly commented on the recent developments, but community members remain hopeful that swift action will be taken to remedy the situation. For now, the residents of Irmo can only wait and see how things unfold as Lumos works to get back on track and fulfill its commitment to providing better internet access for everyone.

Stay tuned as we keep an eye on this developing story in our beloved Irmo community.