Greensboro, NC (April 18, 2018) The N. C. Department of Transportation has been chosen as the NC811 Safe Digging Partner for April 2018 due to its ongoing commitment to safety, damage prevention and spreading the “Call Before You Dig” message.

Many safe digging partners have made the commitment to call 811 prior to any excavation, but few go above and beyond with making safety their #1 priority.  NCDOT has shown their commitment to keeping their community, employees and utility providers safe.  They participate in the monthly Utility Coordinating Committee meetings around the state along with sharing vital information about projects that affect utility infrastructure. “This is truly the type of Safe Digging Partner NC811 is looking for:  The commitment to keeping the community safe while excavating and providing a great transportation infrastructure to their citizens,” said NC811’s Education Department Manager, Ann Rushing.

Louis Panzer, Executive Director with NC811 acknowledged NCDOT’s commitment to damage prevention at the Underground Damage Prevention Review Board meeting on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 presenting a Safe Digging Partner award certificate to Carl Barclay, State Utilities Manager with Utilities Unit.  

“I am pleased NCDOT is counted as one of NC811’s “safe digging partners” and we recognize their “call before you dig” message has made our highway right of way a safer place. I also want to acknowledge the importance of our partnership with utility providers across the state.  Together, we provide the infrastructure for the transportation of motor vehicles and conveyance of utility services, often within a shared right of way, to the citizens of our state,” said Barclay.

Every nine minutes an underground utility line is damaged because someone decided to dig without calling 811 first.  Find out more about becoming a Safe Digging Partner.

About NC811
Since 1978, North Carolina 811 has provided a fast and easy communications link with local utility providers. The public provides NC811 information about excavation, NC811 transmits the information to utilities and they send out locators to mark underground lines for free. Call 811 or 1-800-632-4949 three working days before you plan on digging.

About NCDOT (North Carolina Department of Transportation) Raleigh, NC
One of state’s largest government agencies, the N.C. Department of Transportation is responsible for maintaining approximately 80,000 miles of roadways and 18.000 bridges and culverts across North Carolina, as well as regulating and implementing programs to support rail, aviation, ferry, public transit and bicycle and pedestrian transportation.