Dept. of Technology: Fair Shake Internet Federal Funding Account Grant

The City and County of San Francisco is advancing a fiber optic deployment initiative in the Bayview, Chinatown, and Tenderloin neighborhoods, focusing on expanding high-speed internet access through the strategic use of existing infrastructure. The project involves installing fiber optic cables within existing underground conduits and attaching new cables to existing utility poles without introducing new poles or above-ground structures such as cabinets or huts. A total of 40 underground pull boxes will be installed along sidewalks, each requiring a trench between 5 and 50 feet in length, spaced approximately every 200 to 300 feet. Excavation for these pull boxes will not exceed 2 feet below the existing ground surface, minimizing disruption to streets and sidewalks. Cables attached to existing utility poles, which range from 35 to 50 feet in height, will be placed at a height of 24 to 27 feet above the ground to ensure clearance and safety. The entire project is scheduled to last approximately 18 months and is being funded through the Department of Technology's Fair Shake Internet Federal Funding Account Grant, with oversight managed by the California Public Utilities Commission.