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For Immediate Release
April 23, 2010
Contact: Sally Kohr
(717) 787-4651

Alloway Reminds Homeowners, Contractors to Contact One Call System Before Excavation 

HARRISBURG – Senator Richard Alloway II (R-33) is reminding homeowners and contractors to contact the Pennsylvania One Call System before undertaking any excavation work to prevent fires, explosions and utility service outages. 

Homeowners and contractors must call 811 prior to any excavation work such as planting shrubs and trees, tunneling, grading, boring, blasting, demolishing, or any similar work. The call triggers an alert to all the necessary underground facility owners to identify any underground lines or facilities at the intended dig site. Area utility companies will visit the site to mark the location of their respective underground facilities. 

"The Pennsylvania One Call System prevents homeowners and contractors from creating potentially dangerous situations," Alloway said. "I would urge anyone who is planning any sort of excavation to call to ensure that their projects are safe." 

Calls to 811 must be placed no less than three business days prior to beginning a digging or excavation project to allow sufficient time to identify any possible impediments.