811 is the nationally designated “Call Before You Dig” number. It was created to protect pipelines and utilities from excavation damage.
Implementation of Call Before Dig is managed by each state. The call is directed to the state’s 811 center for intake. The 811 center transmits the information to the affected utility operators to mark their facilities. The state sets forth a certain number of days the affected utility has to mark their facilities. Excavation work may not start until after the designated number of days have passed.
Details
When excavation work is required on Comcast premises or a customer premises, Comcast or the designated contractor must contact 811 to submit a request for affected utilities to mark their facility in the area where work will be performed. Excavation work may not begin until the requisite number of days set by each state have passed to allow the affected utilities to mark their facilities.
811 must be called for any job that requires excavation, even for a small project. Each state has enacted their own Call Before You Dig laws. The state laws may vary to locate/mark their utilities. Failing to adhere to the state 811 requirements may result in fines and repair costs.
How 811 works
We encourage you to visit the Call Before You Dig website at call811.com for tools and information regarding state requirements.