Broadband Stimulus Notebook
A bill to require road construction projects to include conduits for broadband was introduced by Democratic Sens. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Mark Warner of Virginia. The Federal Highway Administration estimates that 90 percent of the cost of deploying…
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broadband is for digging up and repairing the road, said a news release announcing the bill. It would require states to install broadband conduit in connection with any federally funded transportation project - - a new highway or repair to an existing road, lane or shoulder. “Dig once,” Klobuchar said, adding that it’s a waste of taxpayers’ patience and money to work on a road and then turn around “a year or two later to install underground communication cables.” The bill would provide waivers of the requirement if the Transportation Department and Federal Communications Commission determine conduit isn’t needed. Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., has introduced a similar bill, HR- 2428, in the House (CD May 15 p12).