Citywide Fiber Optic Project is Underway

Have you driven downtown lately and wondered what's with all the markings on some of the streets?  

Wonder no more! New infrastructure for fiber optics is underway. All Phase Excavating Inc. is installing approximately 8,000 lineal feet of new underground conduit  (Phase I Infrastructure) from main IT computer room in the Police Department Building at Union Street all the way to Airport Boulevard.

The Project will involve running new fiber optic lines to locations throughout the City of Watsonville.  This can be completed using a combination of existing conduits and utility boxes and new conduits installed by directional boring terminating in either existing utility boxes or new boxes.   The main routes for the proposed fiber optic lines will be installed along Union St., Brennan St., Freedom Blvd.,  Airport Blvd., Maple Avenue and Marchant St.

This project will provide a valuable communications and data infrastructure asset to our community. The project would pay for itself within 11 years, based on current lease prices from Charter.

Funds for this project will initially come from the Water Enterprise Funds and the Library’s Sales Tax Measure,  although each of the City departments will be contributing a proportionate share of the project cost based on benefit and use. 

If  you have questions or would like additional information on this project, you may contact Robert Berry, Project Manger at 768-3111.

You can read more background information on this project here.