PUC asks residents to delay digging projects during covid-19 emergency

Mary Ann Thomas | Friday, March 27, 2020 3:03 p.m.

Deb Erdley | Tribune-Review

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission is asking the public and businesses to delay nonessential digging projects.

“While the Pennsylvania One Call system has remained fully operational through this pandemic, we join them in asking consumers, businesses and contractors to not begin any nonessential construction,” PUC Commissioner John F. Coleman Jr. said Friday in a news release.

The PUC’s directive is based on Gov. Tom Wolf’s March 19 order all “non-life-sustaining” businesses close their physical locations to slow the spread of covid-19.

“Delaying the start of non-essential home digging projects can help safeguard our citizens, protect utility crews and avoid accidental damage to underground lines that could disrupt utility services during this extremely stressful time,” he added.

Currently, utilities and Pennsylvania One Call personnel are working on critical projects to ensure underground lines and facilities are properly marked before any excavation work begins.

“It is important to avoid sending utility crews and equipment into neighborhoods unless it is absolutely necessary – to help protect residents and those essential workers,” the PUC said in its news release.

State law requires contractors and residents to contact Pennsylvania One Call at least three business days prior to excavation, triggering alerts to all utilities within an intended digging area and prompting utilities to mark where their facilities are located. Pennsylvanians can dial 8-1-1 to connect with the One Call system, while out-of-state residents or businesses can call 1-800-242-1776.