Middle-Mile
Broadband
Network
Overview • Brief Background • Project Location • General Project Scope • Installation Methods • Delivery Schedule • Questions 2 Brief Background
In July 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law Senate Bill 156 to create an open-access middle-mile network to bring equitable high-speed broadband service to all Californians.
There are three main goals of the open-access middle-mile network:
1. Provide affordable, open-access, middle-mile broadband infrastructure to enable last-mile networks throughout the state.
2. Leverage existing networks and construction projects to build networks, when possible.
3. Prioritize connectivity to unserved and underserved communities. 3 Statewide
Network
City of Fort
Bragg
Design Details
• Conduit Installation.
• Vault Installation.
• Network Hub Installation.
Plowing
Description
Vibratory plow using
vibratory blades.
Narrow slit in soil as plow
moves quickly.
Minimal soil disturbance.
Minimal soil handling.
Application
Fast installation in soil
surface.
Cost-effective installation
method.
Tight schedule.
Long-haul work in open
areas.
Uneven, wet or dry terrain.
Single pass.
Not applicable to
roadway or concrete
surfaces.
Trenching
Trenching (Traditional)
Common for long, cross-country installations.
May effect traffic movement.
Slower than plowing.
More controlled cable installation.
Trenching in Pavement
Narrow trenches (3” to 6”) in pavement.
Suitable for locations with significant environmental and right-of way restrictions.
Micro-trenching
Horizontal Directional Drilling
Application
Most terrains
Rocky ground conditions
Overpass,
embankments, side hill,
river crossings
Operation
Entrance pit
Exit pit
Pilot hole pass
Reaming pass
Site Pre-Planning
Entry site
Exit site
Staging Site
Directional Drill
DIRECTIONAL DRILLING VIDEO
11 Application
Cross roadways
and railroads
when casing is
required
Horizontal
Directional
Drilling not
feasible
Operation
Entrance pit
Exit pit
Pilot hole pass
Reaming pass
Pipe Casing
Site Pre-Planning
Entry site
Exit site
Staging Site
Jack and Drill
Jack and Drill
JACK AND DRILL VIDEO
13 Vault Installation
• One 30-inch-wide by 48-inch-long by 36-inch-deep pull vault would be installed approximately every 2,500 feet (maximum spacing).
• Every 5th vault would be a 48-inch-wide x 48-inch-long x 48- inch-deep splice vault.
• Vaults may be installed above surrounding grade or flush with surrounding grade.
• If conduit is installed in bridge structures, vaults would be installed at both ends of the bridge to aid conduit
installation and maintenance access.
Hub Installation
• Network hubs would be installed on concrete
pads to provide transmission and reamplify
signals.
• Hubs would be located a maximum of 50
miles apart and be located in proximity to
power as electrical hook-ups would be
required.
• Perimeter fencing and standby propane or
diesel generators with fuel tanks would be
installed at hub locations.
• Typical network hub dimensions would be 50
feet wide by 50 feet long.
Hub Rendering
16 Delivery Timeline
Caltrans constructs the MMBI network
2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026
July 2021:
SB 156 becomes law
May 2022:
CDT Provides 10k-mile
Broadband Network Map
December 2024:
Federal Deadline for
Contract Award
December 2026:
Federal Deadline to
Complete Construction
Preconstruction
Questions?
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
19 Thank you for your time!