Legislation modifies R.I. excavation program

PROVIDENCE – Gov. Donald L. Carcieri last week signed legislation intended to increase the efficiency and safety measures of the state’s Dig Safe program.
The legislation, which will take effect on Nov. 1, changes the existing laws that regulate excavation near underground-utility facilities, including increasing the amount of time required to notify utilities of impending excavation work.
The legislation – sponsored by Rep. Jan P. Malik, D-Barrington, and Sen. Fran A. Devall Jr., D-East Providence – includes modifications such as:
&#8226 Increasing utility marking response time from 48 hours to 72 hours, as the time for excavators to notify Dig Safe before commencing work.
&#8226 Requiring cable television services to become members of the system.
&#8226 Requiring cities and towns that own, operate, manage or control a sewer system to maintain as-built drawings and plans on any new sewer main extension to be submitted to the sewer authority.
&#8226 Requiring all excavation work to commence within 30 days and be completed within 60 days.
There are currently about 59 members participating in the Dig Safe System in Rhode Island, including small water companies, universities and large-scale utility providers. &#8226