To prevent damage to underground facilities, who should be contacted before excavating in a public right-of-way?

Contacting DIG SAFE - 811 before excavating in a public right-of-way is essential for ensuring the safety of all underground facilities. DIG SAFE is a notification system specifically designed to prevent damage to underground infrastructure, including gas lines, electric lines, water mains, and telecommunications cables. By calling 811, excavators can request that utility companies mark the locations of their buried lines, which provides crucial information needed to safely proceed with excavation without risking disruption of services or causing hazardous situations.

The other options, while relevant in certain contexts, do not serve the specific purpose of identifying and marking underground utilities. Emergency services like 911 are not involved in routine excavation safety; local utility companies may not be aware of all the utilities in the area, since DIG SAFE coordinates with multiple companies; and the city planning department typically focuses on permits and public works rather than utility marking. Therefore, contacting DIG SAFE - 811 is the most effective and appropriate action to take before beginning any excavation work.