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Fishers issues another 'no-dig' order for Metronet after gas line rupture

Posted at 12:54 PM, Aug 24, 2017
and last updated 2017-08-24 19:39:23-04

FISHERS, Ind. -- The city of Fishers has issued a "no-dig" order for Metronet after the company hit a gas line just two days after their previous "no-dig" order was lifted. 

The gas line break Thursday morning happened near Prairie Fox Drive and Mollenkopf Road. The city of Fishers said it was the sixth recorded gas line break by the company since their installations began earlier this year. 

The city lifted a previous ban on Metronet's digging Tuesday as Vectren and Metronet agreed to begin utilizing a new method for digging in dry conditions that would prevent gas line damage. 

"I would love options and competition, other than Comcast, but obviously they have some things to figure out in terms of installation," said Lee Jorgenson, who lives in the neighborhood.

The gas line breaks are under investigation by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission and the no-dig order will remain in place until that investigation is complete. 

Metronet released the following statement regarding the gas line ruptures:

MetroNet was extremely disappointed to learn today that one of its contractors inadvertently made contact with a gas line in the Fox Run subdivision in the City of Fishers.  Officials from Vectren and the City of Fishers were immediately notified.  This incident occurred despite MetroNet mandating that its contractors utilize hydro-excavating procedures to locate gas lines.  Because this directive was disregarded, the crew responsible for the incident was terminated on the spot.  Additionally, MetroNet has halted all construction in the City of Fishers and is taking measures to reinforce and confirm that its contractors are following proper construction procedures.

MetroNet has deployed close to a million feet of fiber optic cable throughout the City of Fishers to connect residents and businesses to its world class infrastructure and Gigabit level Internet speeds.  Despite this high volume of construction activity, the Company has only experienced a small number of utility strikes.  However, regardless of the ratio of strikes to the magnitude of construction, MetroNet is committed to ensuring public safety and eliminating disruptive construction practices in each and every case.

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