WPPDC Patrick Project Description

The WPPDC Patrick County Universal Broadband Project is a project funded through a $1,557,385 grant from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) Virginia Telecommunication Initiative (VATI) Program with $1,450,145 in match funding from Charter Communications/Spectrum and Patrick County. The purpose of this project is to build fiber to the home (FTTH) broadband service to approximately 690 unserved locations.

Project activities include engineering, 73.6 miles of fiber installation, fiber splicing, installation of electronics to light fibers, and fiber drops to homes, businesses, and community locations that sign up for service. 

Check back often for project updates.

Combined Notice: Finding of No Significant Impact & Intent to Request for Release of Funds

Current Project Status:

The project is currently in the preliminary phases of the build. The majority of work being completed has consisted of Field Walkout. More information regarding Charter’s Field Walkout process can be found below:

Field Walkout – Spectrum construction coordinators review the project area using both maps and by physically driving to and “walking-out” a project area. The survey estimates plant footage and the type of footage (aerial vs. underground) which are used by Spectrum’s design team to create detailed design plans and are also used to generate cost estimates. The survey will also determine the permit requirements, which are submitted and obtained in parallel with the remaining steps. Key activities include:

 Acquire land base and address information for awarded build areas;

 Prepare walkout schedule and maps for field vendors;

 Finalize statement of work and pricing, award walkout to field vendors;

 Acquire list of town, county, and state utility projects; and

 Identify continuity crossing and permit requirements for all crossing required on highways, railroads, rivers, etc.

Once walkout is completed for the entire project area, all data collected will be used to transition to the Network Design and Pole/Permitting Applications phases of the project. More information about Network Design and Pole/Permitting Applications can be found below:

Network Design – The preliminary routing is overlaid with the field walkout to create the final routing for fiber design with make-ready assessments. The design includes confirmation of takeoff points from existing fiber, assessment of future capacity needs, network expansion routes, and diverse routing back to hubs. Entry access, floor space, and power requirements at all supporting hubs are accounted for as part of the design.

Pole/Permitting Applications – Pole owners are identified and pole attachment agreements commence. Pole attachment applications are submitted promptly following all pole owner requirements. In this process, all crossings are identified that may require a town, county, or state permit to ensure timely engineering and construction support. Identify all underground areas; research and engage in discussion on permitting requirements to build conduit underground.