Earlier this summer we began a fiber optic cable replacement project that will replace existing fiber between several buildings in our community. Since we have many new residents, and because this project has been on a 3-week break, we thought it would be good to share an update as they start work again. This project will convert our fiber to the new campus standards. This project focuses on the main “backbone” of our fiber network and its main feeder buildings in each 100s area.
The project is being coordinated by the State and our campus partners at the Division of Information Technology (DoIT), with input from our Housing Facilities team.
The contractor is Staff Electric and their subcontractor Senft & Sons. Much of this work will take place outside of buildings. No apartments will need to be entered for this project.
They will be putting a PVC conduit in the ground and running the fiber inside the conduit. Some of this work will be done by digging small trenches, but much of the work will be done by directional boring. There is some noise associated with this work both while they are running the boring/trenching equipment and in locations where they need to drill into the basements.
We do not expect any unplanned interruptions to existing internet services. Any planned network outages as well as any impacts on basement storage areas will be communicated in advance. We will send regular emails to the buildings near where work will be happening to alert you they will be in your part of the community.
During this project, the contractors will park along the driveways of our parking lots with their equipment and trailers. Please use caution when backing in and out of the parking stalls in these lots. Current work is focused in the greenspace between the Community Center and the Brown Bus shelter. The week of September 4th work will resume in the University Houses neighborhood. As we get updates from the contractor on scheduled work, we will email residents of the affected areas.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Apartment Facilities Office at 608-262-1018.