Fiber Optic Installation - City Wide
If you see non-City crews working in the right-of-way along a street near you, or in a backyard drainage and utility easement, they may be installing fiber optic cables. The installation work is expected to continue for the next few years.
- What is Fiber Optics?
- Thin flexible fibers of glass or plastic in a cable used to transmit light signals from one end of a cable to the other. These fibers are frequently used in fiber-optic communications, where they permit transmission over longer distances and at higher band widths than electrical cables.
- What do these cables do?
- Provide faster internet service to homes and businesses in the City of Sauk Rapids.
Before starting working in a neighborhood, the companies are expected to provide customer service contact information to the property owners. There are multiple phases for underground fiber projects. Here is a summary:
- Utility Locates: Underground work requires Gopher State One flags and paint to mark utilities.
- Mainline Construction: Underground pneumatic boring or drilling of the main line in the public right-of-way. This step includes installation of conduits, boxes, etc.
- Cable Pulling: Fiber is pulled through the main fiber line.
- Restoration of the disturbed area: Restoring concrete, asphalt, sidewalks, grass etc.
- Mainline splicing and auditing connections: Splicing is the process of joining two separate fiber optic cables together. It is then tested for its strength.
- Drops to home: Facilities or "drops" are buried from the mainline to the customer's home. This additional fiber will also need to be spliced and tested.
- Customer Connection: Once a neighborhood is fiber-ready, customers will be contacted by the company about migrating to the new fiber internet service.
Their trucks should also be marked with company logos. If you see otherwise, or have other questions or concerns, fill out the form below to have an inspector contact you.
Understanding rights-of-way and easements
In most residential areas, the City controls a right-of-way dedicated to the City through a plat or easement that may include a sidewalk. Land within the right-of-way can be used for streets, sidewalks, public and private utilities, etc. A typical street is centered on the right-of-way. Approximately 10–15 feet of public right-of-way exists on either side of the street; therefore, the private property line is typically 10–15 feet behind the curb and gutter.
Utility or sidewalk easements may exist on private property adjacent to the right-of-way. Utility easements grant the rights for utilities such as gas, electric and communication lines, such as fiber optic cables, to be located on private property within the easement area.
If you have any questions directly reach out to the below contact:
Trent Mcdougall at trent.mcdougall@bonfireig.com
720-507-9005