The Central Valley Next-Generation Broadband Infrastructure Project has began boring and trenching during the past few weeks, as a large open access fiber optic cable is being brought into western Nevada County. CVIN (dba Vast Networks) is building this American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) and California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) funded 18-county project and reportedly hired a construction firm from Minnesota to do the work, as part of a bidding process.
The crew has been working its way down from Yuba County, up Peaceful Valley Road, then along Bitney Springs and Newtown Roads. In that part of Nevada County, Pleasant Valley School will be obtaining a 1 Gigabit per second (what is called a “gig”) connection from this project.
In the days, and weeks, ahead, the project’s construction will cross under Hwy 49 at Newtown, go up Indian Flat Road to the Rood Government Building. The Madelyn Helling Library will also get a “gig” connection. From there, construction will proceed through Nevada City, up past Nevada Union High School (another “gig” connection) and along Sierra College Blvd. to E. Main Street; continuing through downtown Grass Valley. It will then head down McCourtney Road to Duggans Road and then Wolf Road to Hwy 49. At Hwy 49, a spur will provide another “gig” connection to Bear River High School, but the main project will continue down Hwy 49 into Placer County.
The entire infrastructure project extends from Hwy 5 in Colusa County in the north, south to Hwy 5 in Kern County (Bakersfield).
Note that this is, what is called, a “middle-mile” project. Consequently, there will be no connections to individual homes or businesses. However, the project is open access, so Spiral Internet will be building those last-mile 100% fiber optic connections. Stay tuned to this blog as we progress.
When will the noisy trucks cease roaring down Bitney Springs Rd? Can they refrain from using air brakes? Thought there was a ban on this in residential areas. No peace in THIS valley.
Exciting! I can’t wait. I live just off of Mooney Flat and I have seen the construction near me. There are even some orange tubes sticking out of the ground nearby. I’m curious when it’ll be ready to use, because I’m dying to have access. Will services be available as the project continues, or does the whole system need to be completely installed first?
Just a heads up that this is a middle-mile infrastructure project, and will not be providing any direct service to homes or businesses. Spiral Internet is working on these “last-mile” connections. Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks.
Progress does create a little noise. Luckily this will be a temporary inconvenience, but with an incredible opportunity for western Nevada County and your neighborhood in the long run. Stay tuned.
Ah, ok! I had to look up “middle-mile” and “last-mile”. Makes a lot of sense. I’m glad to hear that a local internet company will be providing service. Though I would like to be able to have access to a TV/Internet/Phone bundle to save some money.
When is this project going to include the San Juan ridge? We need “gigs” too!!
The fiber optic project that is being constructed now is an infrastructure project – what is called “middle-mile”, and is not connecting residences or businesses to the Internet – what is called “last-mile” connections. Spiral has mapped the Tyler Foote Road area and knows the dire need for much better Internet connections in that part of Nevada County. It is not part of Spiral’s phase one construction, but is definitely in our plans. You can help us by taking our Broadband Survey at http://www.spiralinternet.com/survey and encouraging your neighbors and friends on the ridge to do so too. Thanks!
Is there a current status update for the Hwy. 174 corridor?
Our grant application, before the CA Public Utilities Commission, is currently undergoing challenges from existing providers. If we make it through the overall grant process, and we have a few more “hurdles”, the grant would be approved at the CPUC Board’s meeting on July 26. This would put the Hwy 175 corridor in a late 2014 / early 2015 date for lighting up the fiber. Stay tuned Denis.