Irmo’s Fiber Optic Cable Plans Create Stir in Local Community
In the small town of Irmo, some big discussions are happening about a new fiber optic cable line that’s set to make its way through Veterans Park. The town council recently gave the green light, sort of, to Spectrum Southeast, who wants to dig up parts of the park to bury these lines. However, not everyone is feeling totally confident about this decision.
Mayor’s Concerns: Heartburn Over Digging
Mayor Bill Danielson didn’t mince words during the Tuesday council meeting, admitting that the thought of further digging in the ground gives him “heartburn.” He pointed out that any time there’s an easement and the prospect of digging, it can lead to all sorts of headaches, and these problems don’t just stay underground. They affect roads, parks, and ultimately the residents.
“I want to know what we can do,” he pressed the city staff. As the discussion moved forward, he voiced his worries about the potential chaos. “What is the park going to look like when these people are done digging it up? What is it going to look like for people driving home on Palmetto Wood Parkway over steel plates for six months?”
Past Issues with Utility Work
The mayor’s cautions aren’t just paranoia; they draw from nearby experiences in other towns. Just last year, Columbia had to halt a project from Lumos because the digging caused multiple gas leaks, which even led to residents evacuating their homes. Meanwhile, in Lexington, work by Ripple Fiber resulted in a slew of complaints about torn-up yards and disrupted phone service. And let’s not forget the odd incidents involving workers behaving poorly.
What Are The Plans?
Town Administrator Courtney Dennis explained that this project is being designed with precautions in mind. The planned Spectrum easement will sit 12 feet from the sidewalk, a little further than what they usually aim for. “They’re a little bit less likely to hit them,” Dennis said, though the close proximity to the town’s irrigation system raises another set of questions. “But that’s easier to fix than a gas line.”
The Bigger Picture: Utility Clutter
This situation is more of a symptom of a larger issue that many towns are grappling with: right-of-ways crowded with utilities. “They weren’t meant to be crammed with 15 different utilities,” Dennis elaborated, bringing attention to the struggle local governments face with so many service providers trying to lay their cables in the same space.
What Happens Next?
While it seems Irmo can’t require a bond from the contractor laying the lines, the town’s attorney, Jake Moore, did offer some good news. They can add conditions to the project approval which would mandate that the contractor restores everything back to its original state, plus they must repair any damage to utilities quickly. This is intended to alleviate some of the worries the council has regarding the project.
The Council’s Decision
The council has provisionally approved the project, but it will take a careful look at the proposal for modifications during a workshop on September 3, followed by a vote at the next council meeting on September 17. Even with these considerations, the mayor still seems to be bracing himself for some vocal public feedback. “You know we’re going to get bombarded with emails,” Danielson quipped, acknowledging the public’s keen interest in their local park and utilities.
This project has undoubtedly stirred up a lot of conversation in Irmo. With fiber optic internet being on the rise, balancing innovation with community concerns will be key as the council dives deeper into these plans.
