Project Description
Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (Met Council), operator of the metro-area wastewater collection and treatment system, is making communication upgrades to regional sanitary sewer facilities. This work to replace old telephone lines with fiber optic cables will begin in winter/spring 2026 and will be a multi-year effort across our system.
Construction crews will mostly install the fiber optic cables using trenchless ditches, with some being strung overhead between power poles. The fiber optic cables will reduce costs and provide faster and more reliable service to the sites.
Construction is planned to begin throughout the Twin Cities metro area. Work can take place when the ground is frozen, but generally will not.
What to Expect
While we do our best to minimize impacts during construction, some temporary inconveniences may occur as the work takes place. Here is what you can expect:
- Noise, vibration, and dust related to fiber optic upgrades
- Construction crews and equipment for a few days at each site
- Most of the construction will use trenchless technology to install new fiber optic cable, which will include temporary pits at each end of the trenchless installation. However, any disturbed road surface, sidewalk, and landscaping will be restored after construction is complete.