Before you dig, call 811

[JetPhoto 626]

Before you dig, call 811

Poughkeepsie – There are a whole slew of three-digit phone numbers for various reasons. There is 911 for emergencies, 411 for directory assistance, 211 for human services concerns, and now there is 811.

That’s a new calling service that, effective today, may be used instead of a toll-free 800 number to contact the local utility company before a contractor begins digging.

Central Hudson Gas and Electric Corporation spokesman John Maserjian said it is a national telephone service.

“This number will connect callers to their local one-call center, so an excavator can be anywhere in the country and this one number, 811, and be connected to the one-call center where they will be performing the excavation,” he said.

The purpose of calling in is to find out where underground electric cables and natural gas lines are buried so they can be avoided when digging.

http://www.midhudsonnews.com/News/dig_811-13Apr07.html

[Oswegowind 17]

That is cool! Now you don't have to remember that other number for Stop Dig...I'd post it but I don't remember it! Just hope they have a fail safe measure in place for mis directed fingers that want 911. Sometimes it happens that people want 411 when they dialed 911 for information (freudian slip?)...but this could get a little tricky.

[Capejake72 8]

the 811 was implemented here in Florida too, good that there is an easy to remeber universl number for that

[EJS1810 7]

It's good that 811 finally goes somewhere. In the past if you dialed 811 in NY it rolled over to 911. 811 is the also number for phone repair in CT