The Town of Lexington, South Carolina, officially issued a comprehensive stop-work order to Kinetic Fiber Internet on April 24, 2026, halting all ongoing underground fiber optic installation within the municipality’s jurisdiction. The administrative action follows a series of infrastructure failures and safety violations, culminating in a significant gas line rupture that necessitated emergency protocols and a localized shelter-in-place order for residents.
The most critical incident occurred on April 23, 2026, in the Woodcreek neighborhood. According to town officials and emergency responders, a construction crew installing fiber optic lines along Ridgecreek Drive ruptured a two-inch pressurized gas main operated by Dominion Energy. The resulting leak forced the Lexington County Fire Service to establish a safety perimeter and order residents in the immediate vicinity to shelter in place for approximately three to four hours while utility technicians worked to secure the line. No injuries were reported, but the incident marked the latest in a series of utility strikes attributed to the provider.
Mayor Hazel Livingston stated on April 24 that the stop-work order was a necessary measure to protect public safety and preserve essential services. Livingston cited a pattern of non-compliance by Kinetic and its subcontractors, noting that the company had been involved in multiple utility strikes in recent weeks, including damage to water mains and other gas lines. The Mayor emphasized that the company had repeatedly failed to adhere to 811 underground utility marking rules and town guidelines regarding the restoration of work sites, which included leaving open potholes in residential areas.
In an official statement released Friday, a spokesperson for Kinetic confirmed that the company was notified of the April 23 strike and immediately halted construction to conduct an internal investigation. Kinetic reported that it has since terminated its contract with the specific subcontractor responsible for the Woodcreek incident. The company stated it is cooperating with local authorities and is committed to improving its safety oversight to prevent future infrastructure damage.
Under South Carolina and federal law, municipalities are required to grant telecommunications providers equal access to public rights-of-way. However, the Town of Lexington maintains the authority to hold these providers accountable for safety standards and the protection of vital infrastructure. The current stop-work order will remain in effect indefinitely. Resumption of work is contingent upon a formal meeting between the Town of Lexington, Dominion Energy, and the Lexington County Fire Service to establish mandatory safety protocols and a path forward that ensures the well-being of the community. Residents with questions regarding the ongoing project have been directed to contact the provider’s customer service department.