Good News for Internet Connections in Lexington County
Lexington County residents, get ready for some good news! A fiber optics company called Lumos Fiber has been cleared to resume its work after facing some setbacks. The company was previously blocked from installing internet cables in the Murraywood neighborhood near Irmo due to an unfortunate incident where a water line was struck, causing significant damage to a residential street.
What Happened?
Last month, when Lumos Fiber was digging in the Irmo area, their crews accidentally struck a water line, which resulted in some extensive damage. This prompted the Lexington County Department of Public Works to step in and issue a stop-work order until Lumos could come up with a plan to address the issue. It was a tough time for the community, as many residents were eagerly awaiting improved internet services.
Plan Approved
Fast forward to this past Tuesday, the news was bright as Lexington County Council Chairwoman Beth Carrigg announced during a council meeting that Lumos’s “corrective action” plan had officially been accepted. This plan outlines the steps Lumos needs to take to ensure that future work goes smoothly and that any potential issues are promptly addressed.
“There’s been concern about numerous companies running fiber optic cables,” Carrigg said. “We’ve had several meetings with Lumos. They had an action plan they had to meet to clean up and move forward, and they have met those requirements. If you notice them out, they have a go-ahead, but if you see any future problems, reach out and we’ll try to make it a smooth transition.”
Safety First
Under this accepted plan, safety has become a top priority. All Lumos crews will undergo new safety training, and they will be required to attend monthly safety meetings moving forward. This ensures that everyone working on the project is well-informed about best practices and stays aware of any potential hazards.
Additionally, the county will receive ongoing updates about any future incidents, allowing for better tracking and communication. Before starting work in any new areas, Lumos will meet with local officials as well as representatives from water and gas providers and even the fire department. It’s a collaborative effort to keep everyone safe and informed!
Getting Back to Work
In terms of restoration efforts for the area affected by the earlier incident, Lumos is prepared to assess any necessary repairs and will coordinate trash removal and restroom facilities for their workers. Moreover, the company has committed to notifying utility owners if they face difficulties identifying any buried utilities prior to the start of any digging.
The company plans to use its own ground-penetrating radar technology to locate buried utilities better. As part of their telecommunications buildout strategy, they emphasized the importance of maintaining open lines of communication with all utility owners to mitigate any concerns in the future.
Looking Ahead
Although Lumos faced challenges last year in Columbia due to similar issues, they are now back on track. They had previously received franchise agreements to lay around 1,200 miles of fiber-optic cables across Richland and Lexington counties, which promise to bring faster internet speeds to our area.
Last fall, the company promised to include the installation of WiFi in town parks as part of their service expansion, which is something many residents will surely appreciate! While Lumos didn’t provide specific details about future plans on Wednesday, the community remains hopeful and positive about the upcoming improvements.
In summary, Lexington County residents can breathe a sigh of relief as Lumos Fiber gears up to continue its vital work. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of local leaders and the company, hopefully, any hiccups can be avoided in the future, leading to better internet services for all!
