Fiber project construction begins in North Idaho

COEUR d’ALENE — TDS began construction of a 700-mile fiber-optic network in June. The contractor, Quanta Services, has been hard at work laying the first miles of fiber.

Now the project is moving into Kootenai County — and residents will soon see the dirt begin to move.

TDS announced plans earlier this year to build a fiber-to-the-home network in the area. The Wisconsin-based company is pre-registering customers for its high-speed internet service and creating new jobs. So far, TDS has hired 27 people. The company plans to add more jobs in the region by the end of 2022.

“We’ve only scratched the surface,” said Julie Maiers, vice president of Marketing and Product Development at TDS. “We’re committed to truly investing in the growing communities of Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls, Hayden and Rathdrum.”

Certain Coeur d’Alene neighborhoods are expected to receive services as soon as November. New customers can check their neighborhood status at tdsfiber.com. Residents should watch their mailboxes and doors for notices alerting when construction is due to start.

TDS is partnering with Quanta to build the network. Look for Quanta trucks to be parked next to the construction site when it comes time to lay fiber.

During construction, Quanta will use drilling and plowing techniques, or both, which are designed to limit disruptions, the company said. Quanta is using existing utility easements and public rights-of-way as much as possible. Residents will see orange conduit tubing being placed underground; the fiber-optic cable is then pulled through the conduit.

Once the fiber is placed, trenches will be refilled and grass will be replaced or re-seeded, TDS said. Residents are asked to water the area to aid in restoration.