American Dark Fiber Broadband MEN 162 Permit # 0759

American Dark Fiber, LLC, in partnership with the California Department of Technology, plans to deploy fiber optic cable, conduit, and vaults along a one-mile stretch of State Route 162 in Mendocino County, specifically between post miles R0.015 and R0.030. This initiative is part of a broader Middle-Mile Broadband Network project designed to connect to a third-party Last Mile Broadband Network, ultimately delivering high-speed internet to homes, businesses, and community institutions across underserved areas of the state. The project directly supports Senate Bill 156, signed into law in July 2021, which mandates the creation of an open-access, statewide middle-mile network to ensure universal broadband access for all Californians. By leveraging existing state highway infrastructure, the effort aims to overcome critical gaps in broadband connectivity that have hindered economic opportunity, education, healthcare, and public services in rural and remote communities. The project is led by Caltrans District 1 in Eureka, with Cassie L. Nichols serving as the primary point of contact, and is formally recorded under Permit #0759 with a posted date of June 2, 2026, indicating its integration into California’s long-term infrastructure planning under the state’s commitment to equitable digital access.