2023 May Construction Update
11:53AM June 05, 2023
IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS
Mainline Construction - the first step in building HomeWorks Connect's service through an area. This step involves installing the fiber cables that carry internet service across our service territory. Once the fiber cables are hung on the lines or buried underground, many more steps must take place before homes can be installed so, although mainline construction being completed is exciting, it doesn't mean that your home will be installed within a few days. Your home installation may still be weeks or months out. For an update on your specific location, you are always able to call our office at 800-668-8413.
Splicing - this is the process that connects fiber cables together. Since fiber cables are made of glass, a splicer's job is to melt the glass strands together so that the light that carries your internet service can travel where they need to go. There are two main types of splicing that must be completed: mainline splicing and drop splicing. Mainline splicing takes place between large fiber cables on the mainline while drop splicing is the process that connects your home to the mainline. Once your drop is spliced, your home installation can be installed.
Drop - The drop is the piece of fiber cable that connects the mainline to your home. These typically follow the path that your electric service takes to get to your home and if an alternate route is needed, a site plan may be required before the drop to your home can be built. Once your drop is built, a second crew will come to splice the drop and finally, you will be called to have your home installation scheduled.
Mainline Construction:
Pearl zone has had mainline construction completed and will begin having drops built shortly.
Vandecar zone has had mainline construction completed and the plan is to begin building drops here in the coming weeks.
Littlefield zone has had mainline construction completed but splicing is still in process. Once splicing is completed, drops will begin being built in this zone in the next few weeks.
Evergreen zone has also had mainline construction completed but splicing is still in process. Once splicing is completed, drops will begin being built in this zone by the end of the month.
Focusing on wrapping up all construction measures for the HomeWorks Tri-County Electric Cooperative member build-out and keeping the splicers engaged so we can finish strong.
Drops:
Drop production has been good but we're still working on increasing crews so that we can continue to maintain consistent production.
All temp drops should have had their final buries completed - this went exceptionally well this year.
Installations:
We are still scheduling 14 appointments per day for the installers.
City of Portland:
Westwood Zone - We have begun placing conduit with over 1,300 feet placed to date. We will be bringing more crews in as design is completed and rights-of-way permits are approved.
Market Zone - Field engineering is complete and design is ongoing.
Overall, the build is off to a good start.