North Carolina Construction News staff writer
Google Fiber construction in Pittsboro resumed Nov. 3 following a townwide work stoppage prompted by repeated utility strikes involving the telecommunications provider’s contractor, Hyper Networks. The Town of Pittsboro Council lifted its Stop Work Order after meeting with Google Fiber, Hyper Networks and representatives of other utilities on Nov. 2 to review the incidents and establish additional safety requirements.
An order was issued Oct. 26 after three utility strikes in three days. A gas line was damaged in the Chatham Forest subdivision on Oct. 23, followed by another gas line break in the same subdivision and a water line break on East Street on Oct. 26.
Development Services Director Maie Armstrong facilitated the Nov. 2 “All-Hands Safety Briefing and Work Plan Review”, reinforcing the town’s requirements for safety, permitting, communication and coordination.
Construction was permitted to resume subject to the additional measures outlined in the town’s Fourth Corrective Action Notice and improvements identified in Google Fiber’s investigation report.
Under the new requirements, work is restricted to areas authorized by town-approved plans. Contractors must complete all required communication and coordination with town staff before starting work.
Affected residents and businesses must be notified before construction crews arrive. Road closures must be coordinated with the town and the North Carolina Department of Transportation, with public notice provided at least 24 to 48 hours in advance.
Google Fiber must submit daily work schedules and look-ahead plans to the town before crews begin work. Changes to scheduled locations or the scope of work must also be communicated to and coordinated with town staff.
Digging is restricted to Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., with all work shut down by 5 p.m. Construction is prohibited during designated stoppage periods associated with town holidays, closures and special events. Lane closures and restrictions are limited to 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. The town requires 24 hours’ notice, along with improved signage identifying closure times, delays and detour routes.
Additional precautions apply to directional drilling. Contractors must complete a minimum three-foot soft dig and three-foot lateral spot dig for all utilities before drilling. Areas where multiple utilities are closely spaced must be soft dug to reduce the risk of strikes.
Any utility strike will automatically trigger a work stoppage for all crews and active contractors operating within Pittsboro and its extraterritorial jurisdiction.
The town is also requiring one supervisor or foreman for every construction crew.
The corrective action requirements include several scheduled construction blackout periods. Work is prohibited in downtown Pittsboro Nov. 5-9, Dec. 4-7 and Dec. 17-21.
Townwide work stoppages are scheduled for Nov. 9-12, Nov. 19-30, Dec. 10-14, Dec. 23-28 and Dec. 30 through Jan. 4.
The restrictions coincide with town holidays, closures and special events.
The town previously issued Corrective Action Notices and Stop Work Orders following compliance concerns and utility strikes associated with Google Fiber construction.
Although state and federal laws require Pittsboro to provide telecommunications providers equal access to public rights-of-way, the town has said providers must meet applicable safety standards, permit conditions and requirements to protect public infrastructure.