Informative article about local fiber buildout in Washington, DC, most likely illustrative of what is happening in all the major markets.
...The District government has been averaging about 9,000 applications a year from utility companies seeking permission to make repairs or install systems under the street. Last year, the number swelled to 15,000 applications, spiked by telecommunications companies. A single application can contain several pavement cuts.
"Any infrastructure you put in is going to be disruptive during installation," said James Trefil, a George Mason University professor who writes extensively about technology and science in cities. Yet, "a city whose streets aren't all torn up is on its way to death."
On any given day, the city office that approves permits has 20 pending applications from telecommunications companies, many several inches thick. One that recently was in the stack came from e.spire Communications Inc., which is asking to dig a 4,885-foot-long trench for eight blocks of L Street NW between 12th and 20th streets.
A maddening situation can occur when long neglected streets are repaired by the city, only to be reopened by a company. Constitution Avenue NW between 12th Street and Virginia Avenue was resurfaced last year, for example, but is being opened by e.spire to install local voice and data lines....
washingtonpost.com |
