After a brief shutdown caused by damaged utility lines, Google Fiber installation is set to resume in Pittsboro on Tuesday, November 3. The town issued a stop‑work order on October 26 after two gas lines ruptured and a water main broke, prompting a thorough safety review.

Town‑approved safety measures

Pittsboro officials met with the third‑party contractor, Hyper Networks, on Monday to outline the conditions required before work can continue. The town’s development services director emphasized that resident safety and utility protection are the top priorities.

Key requirements include:

• Digging permitted Monday‑Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., with all activity halted by 5 p.m.
• Lane closures limited to 10:30‑11:30 a.m. and 1:30‑2:30 p.m., with clear signage indicating closure times, delays and detour routes.
• Work confined to areas approved in town‑approved plans and only after required communications with the town are completed.
• Residents and businesses must receive advance notice before crews arrive.
• Roadway closures coordinated with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) and announced at least 24‑48 hours in advance.
• Google Fiber must submit a daily work schedule to the town, with any changes communicated before work begins.
• Directional drilling allowed only after a minimum three‑foot soft dig and three‑foot lateral spot dig for all utilities; tight‑spacing areas must be soft‑dug to avoid strikes.
• Any utility strike triggers an automatic work stoppage for all crews operating in Pittsboro.
• The town requires a one‑to‑one ratio of crews to supervisors or foremen.

These guidelines are designed to prevent further incidents and ensure that the installation proceeds smoothly while protecting the community’s essential services.

Contact information for concerns

Residents or business owners with questions or concerns about the upcoming work are encouraged to contact Pittsboro’s Development Services Director, [email protected] or call 984‑282‑6706.

The town’s proactive approach reflects its commitment to responsible infrastructure development and to keeping Pittsboro’s neighborhoods safe and functional. With the new safety protocols in place, the community can look forward to the continued rollout of high‑speed Google Fiber service, which promises faster internet access for homes and businesses throughout the town.

Original reporting: WRAL Raleigh — read the source article.