Will you please provide information about the crew laying fiber optics all over Bartlesville? What is the purpose? Will this allow us to switch from Sparklight for internet service? They seem to be leaving a muddy mess in people’s yards, destroying their grass. Is this allowed because they are using the city easements?
Based on these questions and others received recently by City staff, it appears there are a few misconceptions to clear up when it comes to fiber options and the laying of it in Bartlesville.
The background: The City maintains franchise agreements with local utility companies that allow them to install and maintain infrastructure necessary for offering services to local residents by accessing City easements, or “rights of way.” To access the rights of way and install the infrastructure required, a permit must be obtained from the City’s engineering department, and work is coordinated with engineering department inspectors.
Current situation: Currently, two utility companies are laying fiber locally after having obtained permits recently. Those companies are Bluepeak and AT&T. Bluepeak is the most recent utility added to the franchise list following approval of an agreement by the City Council last year and an announcement that the company will provide one, two and five gigabyte offerings for residential customers and will have commercial offerings as well.
So, technically, it is true that one could switch from Sparklight to the new internet service once it’s available, but the City, as a practice, does not advocate for any specific business, private or public. Put differently, the City of Bartlesville does not have ties to any utility that it doesn’t have with all of them.
Report it: Anyone who has been left with a “muddy mess” in the wake of installation on a City right of way is asked to report it to the engineering department by calling 918.338.4251 or email kdtoulou@cityofbartlesville.org.
No plan for US-75 turn lane
When are they going to put a right turn lane on U.S. Highway 75 at Frank Phillips Boulevard? We need a turn lane there!
U.S. Highway 75 is owned and maintained by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. ODOT currently has no plans to install a turn lane at that location.