April Declared Call Before You Dig Month
Governor Lamont Releases Official Statement for April 2026
Cheshire, CT — April 9, 2026 — Governor Ned Lamont has officially proclaimed April 2026 as Call Before You Dig Month in Connecticut. While April is recognized nationwide as Safe Digging Month through the Common Ground Alliance, Connecticut's observance highlights the mission at the heart of CBYD: call 811 or submit a ticket at cbyd.com before you break ground.
The need has never been more urgent. According to the Common Ground Alliance 2024 DIRT Report , there were nearly 200,000 incidents of damage to buried utilities in 2024, with the number growing alongside increased construction activity. The report's root cause analysis found that failure to notify the one-call center remains the single largest cause of damage. These aren't just statistics — every strike on a gas line, electrical cable, or water main risks explosions, service outages, and fatal injuries to workers and bystanders.
That's where CBYD comes in. As a nonprofit clearinghouse created by state statute, CBYD connects anyone planning to dig with the utility companies that own buried infrastructure. When you call 811 or submit a request at cbyd.com, utility owners mark the approximate location of their lines free of charge. Connecticut law requires notification at least two full working days before excavating with mechanized equipment.
Throughout April, CBYD is spreading this message to homeowners, excavators, construction crews, utilities, and landscapers across the state. Whether you're planting a tree or breaking ground on a major project, the step is the same — and it could save a life.
Governor Lamont's proclamation recognizes CBYD's proven record of reducing damage and protecting the safety of both excavators and the public. We're grateful for his continued support in reaching every person in Connecticut who picks up a shovel this spring.
Call 811. Visit cbyd.com. It's free, it's the law, and it's the safe way to dig.
About Call Before You Dig, Inc. (CBYD)
Call Before You Dig, Inc. (CBYD) is Connecticut’s free one-call notification system that helps protect people, property, and essential services during excavation projects. By contacting 811 before digging, homeowners and contractors can identify the location of underground utilities such as gas, electric, water, and communications lines. This process helps prevent injuries, service disruptions, and costly damage. Through education and outreach, CBYD promotes safe digging practices and helps protect the state’s critical infrastructure.
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