Caltrans Encroachment Permit 02-25-6-BB-0097 for Frontier Communications’ Non-Middle Mile Project (Project 5320921)

Frontier Communications is proposing to install non-middle-mile broadband fiber optic cable inside the California Department of Transportation’s (Caltrans’) right of way (ROW) along State Route 36 in Tehama County from post mile R87.863 to 87.676, along State Route 89 in Tehama County from post mile R0.01 to 4.403, and along State Route 172 in Tehama County from post mile 8.895 to 6.31. Caltrans will issue an encroachment permit (02-25-6-BB-0097) to allow the proposed improvements to be constructed inside the ROW. Frontier’s non-Middle Mile broadband cable is a continuation of the Middle Mile cable and involves installing 2.60 miles of cable west along Highway 172 and 5.72 miles of cable to the north along Highways 36 and 89. The cable on Highway 172 is entirely within State ROW. The cable that runs along Highway 36 and then Highway 89 reaches Lassen Volcanic National Park at post mile TEH 4.403. From there, it continues for 1.11 miles until it reaches the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center. Cable placement commences on Highway 172 near the intersection of Highway 36. The cable will be spliced into the proposed Middle Mile cable at this location. The cable begins in the ROW of Highway 36, crossing below the highway into the ROW of Highway 172 at post mile TEH 8.895. The cable continues west to post mile TEH 6.48 then crosses below Highway 172 at post mile TEH 6.479 to continue placement in the eastbound ROW. The cable crosses once again below Highway 172 to its terminus at post mile TEH 6.31. The total amount of cable placement along Highway 172 is 2.60 miles. Cable placement commences on Highway 36 approximately 0.25 miles south of the intersection of Highway 89 at post mile TEH R87.863. The cable will be spliced into the proposed Middle Mile cable at this location. The cable begins in a westerly direction along the ROW of Highway 36 then turns north along the northbound ROW of Highway 89 for a total of 0.29 miles to post mile TEH R0.05. The cable then crosses below Highway 89 and continues north in the southbound ROW for a total of 2.75 miles to post mile TEH 2.81. The cable then crosses below Highway 89 to continue north to the boundary of Lassen Volcanic National Park at post mile TEH 4.403. From there, it continues for 1.11 miles until it reaches the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center. The total amount of cable placement along Highways 36 and 89 is 5.72 miles. Buried cable will be installed using two methods: approximately 4.1 miles via horizontal directional drilling, requiring the excavation of around 130 bore pits, and approximately 4.22 miles via plow-trenching. Twenty-four pull boxes will be installed along the cable route for the purpose of placing and splicing fiber cable. Based on the quantity of access points, bore pits, and plowing, a total of 2.40 acres of ground disturbance is anticipated.