Lumos Fiber Cleared to Resume Work in Irmo After Safety Enhancements

Exciting News for Internet Services in Irmo!

Back to Business: Lumos Fiber Cleared to Resume Work

In a move that many residents have been eagerly awaiting, Lumos Fiber has received the green light to resume its operations in Lexington County, specifically in the Murraywood neighborhood near Irmo. This comes after a challenging setback last month when the fiber optics company was temporarily halted from laying internet cables due to a significant water line strike that led to substantial damage in the area. The incident raised numerous concerns about safety and communication when working alongside existing utilities.

During a recent council meeting, Lexington County Council Chairwoman Beth Carrigg shared the good news, confirming that Lumos had presented an acceptable “corrective action” plan that fulfills all necessary safety protocols and requirements. “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,” said Carrigg. This statement reassures residents that the issues identified have been taken seriously and remedied accordingly.

New Safety Measures in Place

As part of the newly accepted plan, all Lumos crews will undergo an additional round of safety training, with ongoing monthly safety meetings required for personnel moving forward. This step aims to enhance safety practices and minimize the likelihood of future mishaps. According to the submitted documents, the county will receive regular tracking information on any incidents, and Lumos will engage with various local officials, utility providers, and even the fire department to ensure everyone is on the same page before any new work begins.

If any workers or crews make mistakes that lead to damage, they will be promptly removed from the project, emphasizing that safety and accountability are top priorities. Moreover, the area around Irmo will be closely reviewed for any restoration needs, and Lumos will take responsibility for providing necessary facilities like trash removal services and restrooms for its workers. An important part of their plans includes notifying all utility owners if they cannot pinpoint the location of any buried utilities before starting work, which adds another layer of precaution.

Pioneering Technology for Utility Detection

In a bid to further enhance the safety of operations, Lumos plans to use its own ground-penetrating radar technology to identify any potentially buried utilities. The company has stated that they have increased communication with utility owners, focusing on training locators and improving overall understanding of networks. Since not all facilities are clearly marked, Lumos indicated that finding an iron pipe might signal the presence of an unmarked plastic gas line nearby, highlighting their proactive approach to safety.

A Pattern of Challenges

Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Lumos has faced challenges while trying to roll out its services. Last year, the company experienced similar setbacks when work in Columbia was paused due to incidents involving water and gas line strikes. On one occasion, a gas leak necessitated the temporary evacuation of residents from their homes. In light of these challenges, the company assured residents that they are learning from previous experiences and are committed to preventing future issues.

What’s Next for Lumos Fiber?

Lumos Fiber originally announced plans to install an impressive 1,200 miles of fiber optic cables across Richland and Lexington counties. This infrastructure upgrade aims to offer faster internet speeds to many local communities once everything is in place. Part of this initiative also includes providing WiFi access in town parks, enhancing connectivity for residents and visitors alike. While details about Lumos’s future plans are currently limited, anticipation continues to build as the community looks forward to a smoother rollout of internet services.

As Lumos heads back to work, residents are encouraged to keep a close eye on any ongoing operations and report any issues to the authorities. Hopefully, with these new safety measures in place, the work will proceed smoothly, resulting in those coveted high-speed internet connections we are all dreaming of!