Nelson County Broadband Project Update-February 2012
The Nelson County Broadband Project construction phase is currently underway. The objective is to provide a state of the art high-speed network backbone generally through the center of Nelson County from north to south, providing the ‘highway’ for private providers to enhance and expand broadband internet services in the county. Three towers will be made available to private providers to expand wireless services into un- and under-served areas of our county. The project is funded by a Federal stimulus grant, Commonwealth of Virginia block grant and by local funds.
What: Combined Fiber-Optic Cable and Wireless Towers middle mile network; approximately 31 miles of fiber and 3 wireless communication towers
Why: To provide the citizens and businesses of Nelson County faster and competitively priced access to high speed voice, video and internet services
Where: Along the Route 29, Route 6 and Route 151 corridors
When: Fiber construction – in process now and complete by May 2012
Tower construction – to begin by end of April 2012
Project completion – Expected by fall of 2012
INITIAL CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE:
Construction of the Nelson County middle mile fiber network will be done in segments to accommodate multiple crews working in various parts of the County simultaneously. Construction of the project began November 28, 2011 with utility marking prior to breaking ground. Initially one crew began work at the southern end of the project in the Colleen Business Park, growing to four crews in January. It was a slow start due to an abundance of rain in December, so additional crews may be brought in by the contractor when necessary to keep the project on schedule. All of the fiber construction should be completed by May 2012.
The fiber construction segments and the approximate dates Nelson citizens should see construction along those roadways are listed below. Please understand this schedule is dependent upon weather, equipment, ease of construction and is subject to change.
| Segment | Location | Anticipated Start of Construction | Current Status |
| Segment 1 | Rte 151 (Afton Mtn. Rd from Critzer Shop Rd. to River Rd. at Martin’s Store substation) | Week of March 12, 2012 | Not started |
| Segment 2 | US 29 (from intersection of River Rd. and US 29 to northern end of Lovingston) | Week of February 6, 2012 | Not started |
| Segment 3 | Lovingston downtown & US 29 south from Lovingston to Stevens Cove Rd | IN PROGRESS | Not started |
| Segment 4 | US 29 ( from Stevens Cove Rd. into the Colleen Business Park) | IN PROGRESS | Construction in progress – began at Colleen Business Park |
| Segment 5 | River Rd. (from Rte 151 at Martin’s Store substation to US 29) | Week of March 5, 2012 | Not started |
For more information: Link to the NTIA Broadband USA project site: http://www2.ntia.doc.gov/grantees/NelsonCounty
Detailed Broadband Project information at: http://nelsoncounty.com/boardofsupervisors/broadband-project/
Download the Project Map: Nelson County NT10BIX5570049 Project Map