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NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Gov. Phil Bredesen proclaimed
April 29-May 5 as "811 Call Before You Dig" week
across Tennessee to publicize the phone number
people should call to help them avoid digging into
buried utility lines.
The federally mandated national "Call Before You Dig"
number, 811, was created to help protect people from
unintentionally hitting underground utility lines while
working on digging projects. By calling 811 three
days before digging, people can have the location of
underground utility lines marked without charge and
help prevent the undesired consequences of personal
injury and property damage.
"This new help line will greatly reduce the risk of
striking a natural gas line or other utility lines, even
with small projects like planting trees or shrubs," said
Governor Bredesen. "It;s a simple and effective step
that will prevent injury and service disruptions."
Tennessee Regulatory Authority Director Eddie
Roberson and Tennessee One-Call System Inc.
Executive Director Bill Turner joined Bredesen for
the proclamation signing in the governor's office. The
TRA regulates privately owned telephone, natural gas,
electric and water utilities and conducts gas pipeline
safety inspections. Those utilities have thousands
of miles of underground lines across the state.
Tennessee One-Call System acts as an advance
notification service to operators of underground
facilities.
"People often are unsure as to whether or not they
should get their utility lines marked before digging. It's
always better to be safe than sorry, and with the new
811 number, calling is even easier,"
Roberson said.
The mission of the TRA is to promote the public
interest by balancing the interests of utility consumers
and providers. For more information on the TRA, visit
online at www.state.tn.us/tra.
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