LEXINGTON, SC (WOLO) — According to Town of Lexington leaders, the town has issued a stop work order to Ripple Fiber following recent incidents where the company hit and damaged multiple Dominion Energy gas lines. The Town of Lexington must allow telecommunications providers, such as Ripple Fiber, access to right-of-way on an equal basis under state and federal law. However, the Town holds all providers accountable for adhering to safety standards and protecting vital infrastructure.  The stop work order will remain in effect pending a meeting between the Town of Lexington, Dominion Energy, and the Lexington County Fire Marshal’s Office to address the issue and determine the next steps to prevent further disruptions. “The Town will not tolerate damage to critical infrastructure and disruption to entire communities,” said Mayor Hazel Livingston. “Our priority is ensuring the safety and well-being of our residents and protecting the essential services they rely on.” The Town of Lexington is committed to resolving this matter and will take any necessary steps to do so. Residents and businesses who want to contact Ripple Fiber directly with questions or concerns can call (800) 359-5767. Ripple Fiber responded to ABC Columbia News by issuing the following statements: “On January 24, during the installation of underground fiber lines in Lexington, a gas line was inadvertently disrupted, causing a temporary leak. Local authorities were notified immediately and assisted in resolving the situation quickly and safely. Ripple Fiber management was onsite throughout the incident, working closely with safety professionals and first responders to ensure public safety. We deeply appreciate their swift action and collaboration.  We also extend our gratitude to Mayor Livingston for her leadership and partnership during this project, which is one of the largest infrastructure initiatives in Lexington in the past century. While community disruptions at scale are rare, Ripple Fiber remains committed to completing this expansive build with minimal disruption, pending approval from local stakeholders to move forward. To date, we’ve connected over 10,000 homes in Lexington County, with approximately 1,000 remaining within Lexington town limits, and hope to announce the completion of the project later this year.  We thank everyone for their patience and understanding throughout this process as we bring critical infrastructure to the area and the high-speed internet that will delight the residents.” Categories: Local News, News