Coon Rapids' streets are being lined with the future – high-speed internet that's rocketing beneath the lawns and sidewalks. This ambitious initiative is noticeable by the parade of orange tubes snaking alongside local roads, a high-tech upgrade in the form of fiber optic cable aimed to bring blazing-fast broadband service straight into the community's homes and businesses.
With excavation starting in the fall, the landscape of Coon Rapids is changing, and not just over one locality. Several companies have rolled out their digging crews, tearing into the City's right-of-way which might stretch up to 15 feet from the curbs. It's part of a larger scheme, one that could have neighbors seeing faster downloads but also more trucks and safety vests.
What's key here is the City of Coon Rapids itself isn't behind the wheel of these operations. These companies, which have gotten their hands on permits, call the shots when it comes to installation. And if they mess it up, they're the ones holding the bag – any damage done during the process will be theirs to fix, and they've committed to making repairs after the work's wrapped up, as noted by a release from the City of Coon Rapids.
Residents with queries or who are looking to vent about the disruptive digs have a place to turn. The City’s put up an online input form to collect feedback and field concerns at coonrapidsmn.gov/Fiber. It's a direct line to the powers that be, where the people can lodge their input regarding the ongoing fiber-optic facelift taking place right outside their front door.
