Residents of Lexington County Frustrated Over Fiber Optic Installation Issues
In the charming neighborhood of **Lexington County**, South Carolina, *frustration is running high* among residents after a fiber optic company caused significant damage while installing cables last week. With utility lines disrupted and road conditions becoming perilous, locals are voicing their concerns and calling for prompt action to resolve these problems.
A Sinkhole in the Making
The trouble began on Wednesday, September 11, when subcontractors working for **Lumos Fiber** accidentally struck a *water main line* during construction in the **Murraywood subdivision**. This mishap resulted in a large sinkhole that appeared right in front of resident Annette Briggs’ home. “I looked out the window, and it was literally almost like a river in the road,” Briggs recalled during a Monday interview. “The road really just swelled up and water was just coming out everywhere, two or three places.”
The project, which is along *Willowbend Court*, took a turn for the worse when water pooled underneath the pavement after the contractors hit the water line at the top of a hill. Residents noted that a portion of the road collapsed after a **Columbia Water** truck drove over it, leading to a chaotic mess. “Water began to rush downhill, lifting up portions of the road, and creating what looked like a fault line,” shared one resident. Many homes in the area were without water for part of the day, with some locals reporting that their tap water ran brown for a solid 24 hours.
County Intervention and Immediate Concerns
In response to this incident, **Lexington County** didn’t waste any time. They issued Lumos a *stop work order* for the Murraywood subdivision due to the damages caused. An email from the county’s Public Works department expressed the need to halt operations, insisting on a “*Corrective Action Plan* approved by Lexington County Public Works for repairs at this location.” This was a clear indication that residents’ concerns had reached the attention of the authorities.
**Columbia Water** took responsibility for the incident as well, chalking it up to incorrect utility markings during the construction process. “Typically where there are plastic water lines in the ground, there’s a tracer wire that helps us locate them,” explained Clint Shealy, the Assistant City Manager for Columbia Water. He added that when this subdivision was initially developed, *no tracer wire* was present at that location, leading to the confusion in markings. Luckily, the city has stepped up to repair the damage, choosing not to file an insurance claim against Lumos.
The Impact on Daily Life
Briggs, like many of her neighbors, is not just facing an inconvenience—she’s dealing with a *major disruption to her daily life*. “I have to walk through my heels in all this gravel, and I’m tracking mud into my car and my house,” she complained. “I go in and out of my garage every day. I can’t use it. It’s not accessible at all now.”
Adding to her troubles, Briggs now has to collect her mail from the post office since it’s too difficult for the mail delivery workers to navigate the damaged area. On Monday, she also expressed feelings of being forgotten, noting, “Not important, like it’s not a priority.”
Looking Ahead
While Columbia Water aims to have the necessary repairs completed this week, depending on the weather, residents remain watchful and anxious. Shealy issued an apology, stating, “We do our best to mark our utilities. On occasion, it’s not very often, but that marking is incorrect.”
Meanwhile, Lumos also acknowledged the issue, stating, “Due to inaccurate utility locates, we have paused construction in Murraywood to address the issue with the water company and other utility partners. We will ensure all safety and compliance standards are met before resuming work.”
As the situation continues to unfold, residents of Lexington County are hoping for swift repairs and a resolution to their ongoing frustrations. For many, the desire for restored normalcy in their neighborhood is paramount. Let’s hope these issues are resolved quickly so that everyone can get back to enjoying the comfort of their homes again.
