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Brookhaven halts Google Fiber work after gas main strike near school

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Published  December 16, 2024 10:19pm EST
Brookhaven
FOX 5 Atlanta

The Brief

    • Brookhaven issued a citywide stop work order for Google Fiber after a gas main strike near an elementary school raised safety concerns.
    • City officials emphasized the need to assess procedures and ensure resident safety before allowing construction to continue.
    • Council members highlighted the city's limited authority over utilities but stressed the importance of prioritizing public safety.
    • Mayor Pro Tempore John Funny called for accountability and adherence to high safety standards during construction projects.
    • Improved coordination among major utilities was identified as a critical need to prevent future incidents and ensure efficient service delivery.

BROOKHAVEN, Ga. - The city of Brookhaven issued a citywide stop work order for Google Fiber following a gas main strike near an elementary school on Ashford Dunwoody Road. The incident occurred on Friday, Dec. 13, during the installation of Google Fiber infrastructure.

City officials cited safety concerns as the reason for suspending work to assess procedures and ensure the safety of residents.

"The health and safety of our residents come first, particularly when we are dealing with young children," said District 1 Council Member Michael Diaz. "As a civil engineer, I’m looking forward to hearing about how Google Fiber plans to address our citywide concerns."

District 2 Council Member Jennifer Owens emphasized the city’s limited authority over utilities but defended the decision. "We are keenly aware that a local municipality such as Brookhaven is limited in the action we can take against utilities, but in terms of public safety, we have to take a stand. Google Fiber still has a lot more work to finish in Brookhaven, and we have to pause and ensure better safety before we proceed any further," Owens said.

Mayor Pro Tempore John Funny underscored the importance of accountability during construction. "Our priority is to ensure that all work within the city’s rights-of-way adheres to the highest standards for safety, quality, and restoration. We are committed to holding Google Fiber accountable for minimizing disruptions, addressing any damages promptly, and maintaining clear communication with residents and businesses throughout the construction process," Funny said.

District 3 Council Member Madeleine Simmons added that coordination among utilities must improve. "Utilities of the magnitude of Google Fiber, Atlanta Gas, and DeKalb Watershed Management have vast resources of staff and finance to affect the delivery of these critical services to residents. It’s disturbing that it’s Brookhaven that must step up to get all the players working together," Simmons said.

City officials did not provide a timeline for lifting the stop work order but stressed the need for enhanced safety measures before construction resumes.

Google Fiber has not yet responded pubically to the stop work order.

The Source: The details in this article were provided by the city of Brookhaven.

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