Precinct 3's response to Jeff Forward's questions:
Jeff,
Regarding your questions:
State lawmakers, through the Texas Utilities Code, have granted telecommunications companies unfettered access to public right of way in order to install their facilities along, on or across public roads. These telecommunications companies are not required to notify or receive approval from a county at any time before, during or after a project. The only plans they would be required to submit would be for a traffic control plan if a lane closure on a county road is necessary for them to complete the job.
Nevertheless, Precinct 3 has been communicating with Tachus since May 2020 regarding resident concerns, questions and complaints; utility line breaks, challenges with incorrectly marked lines by other utilities/locate companies; property damage; and improvements that can make the process safer and less intrusive for the public.
The county is not the judge, jury or executioner when it comes to telecommunications companies – we have no legal authority under current state law to regulate these companies or limit their ability to install fiber in any way.
Therefore, the county cannot and does not determine fault or financial responsibility concerning utility line breaks and others’ property damage. That would be between those involved, whether it be utility companies, contractors or private property owners.
Two sections of roads – one at the northwest corner turn lane from Gosling Road onto Research Forest Drive and the other at Summer Cloud and Floral Leaf in Cochran’s Crossing – had to be torn up in order for a water line and gas line, respectively, to be repaired after being struck by Tachus contractors. The utility lines were fixed and the road pavement repaired to county standards – at no cost to the county. Precinct 3 crews also have done some ditch repair to ensure proper grading and drainage after fiber installation.
But to be clear, Tachus is not the first and surely will not be the last entity involved with a utility line break that results in damage or necessary repairs to county roads.
Most of the utility line breaks that Precinct 3 has responded to have involved issues that required road/lane closures or affected traffic. Telecommunications companies are not required to report any utility line breaks to the county.
Over the past few weeks, Precinct 3 has facilitated enhanced communications between the utilities and Tachus, which shed light on the number of broken water lines being dealt with by the Woodlands Water Agency.
Precinct 3 has communicated with dozens of residents regarding Tachus over the past 10 months but cannot recall any involving confrontations or rude interactions by anyone involved.
Precinct 3 is jointly hosting the town hall meeting with Tachus so residents and businesses can have their questions answered and their voices heard. This is part of the process to ensure the level of communication, coordination and cooperation necessary to protect the public, the utilities and businesses involved.