Commissioners award broadband bid

Drew Lawson, The Record-Times | Last updated Apr 06, 2023 9:48am0

DAVENPORT — The Lincoln County Commissioners awarded Spokane-based Zero dB Communications the construction build for the first of three countywide broadband projects bringing high-speed fiber connection to the county.

Zero dB Communications will construct the connection for a project through Almira, Creston and Harrington with middle mile up to one gigabyte through Wilbur. The company bid $1,232,501.17, the lowest of five companies that bid.

Bids were unsealed at the commissioners’ March 20 meeting and referred to the Economic Development Council, which recommended Zero dB Communication’s bid.

Construction is expected to begin later this month, commissioner Scott Hutsell said. Property easements are still needed on a couple parcels between Wilbur and Almira, and a franchise agreement hasn’t been reached with the town of Wilbur yet, he added.

“Make-ready” work has been completed on Avista power poles, where the fiber will be installed.

“Some of the infrastructure needed to be upgraded,” Hutsell said.

The first stretch of construction will occur between Wilbur and Almira. Wilbur to Creston will follow, and Creston to Harrington will be the final stretch.

The project is being funded by a $1,963,920 grant from the Community Economic Revitalization Board with a 20% match from the county, which the commissioners used $490,980 in American Rescue Plan Act dollars to fund.

The first roll of fiber arrived on an eight-foot-high reel last week and is currently stored at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds before Zero dB Communications begins work.

A pre-construction meeting is expected to take place next week, Hutsell said.

Other companies that bid on the construction project included Walla Walla-based Blue Mountain, Post Falls-based Skyview Construction, Vancouver-based Robinson Brothers Construction and Richland-based Paramount Communications.