For Release: 08/11/2014

National Call 811-Before-You-Dig Day Reminds Residents to Exercise Safe Digging Practices

WAUKEGAN - August 11 is National Call 8-1-1 Before-You-Dig Day. North Shore Gas reminds residents planning late summer landscaping projects to call the Joint Utility Locating Information for Excavators (JULIE) 8-1-1 Hotline at least 48 hours before digging to prevent unnecessary damage to underground facilities.

JULIE is a not-for-profit corporation that provides contractors, excavators, homeowners, and others a free service through a single toll-free phone number, 8-1-1 or (800) 892-0123 to call for the locating and marking of underground utility facilities. The federally-mandated national 8-1-1 "Call Before You Dig" hotline network was created to help protect people from unintentionally damaging underground utility lines while digging.

"Calling 8-1-1 to reach JULIE should be every homeowner and contractor's first step before putting a shovel in the ground and performing any excavation, gardening, construction, or digging," said Ted Andersen, senior claims analyst and a JULIE board member.

Natural gas and electric lines are buried underneath the property and could be in striking distance, even for a simple project like erecting a tent for a holiday party. It's important that contractors, workers and residents - anyone planning work that requires digging -follow pipeline safety procedures and be aware of safe digging practices.

Illinois law requires that people call 8-1-1 before beginning any project that requires digging. Projects like landscaping yard areas, installing a mailbox, building a deck or patio are among the types of projects that require a call to 8-1-1. Location specialists will come to the home or business to locate, and mark all underground utility services in the area free of charge.

Calling 8-1-1 well in advance to have locates completed, will help ensure you can start summer projects safely. People can start projects safely as planned and ensure there are no disruptions to electric or natural gas service, possibly to entire neighborhoods. A normal locate request requires 48 hours/two business days' notice (excluding weekends and holidays). Work must begin within 14 days from the time of the request and is good for 28 days.

For more information on the utility's pipeline safety materials, visit www.northshoregasdelivery.com.

  • Bonnie Johnson (Media)
    Manager, Public Relations
    (312) 240-4567
    (312) 907-7333 (CELL)
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