Brazos County approves fiber optic work along county roads, raises concerns about contractors

The overview

Directional boring will allow fiber optic lines to be installed with minimal surface disruption, documents show. It’s most commonly used to expand broadband infrastructure.

County documents note the work is part of ongoing efforts to improve connectivity and accommodate infrastructure needs along county roadways.

What commissioners are saying

After the permits were approved, Precinct 4 Commissioner Wanda Watson raised concerns based on complaints she’s received from residents regarding Comcast contractors working in neighborhoods within Bryan city limits, specifically the Autumn Lakes area.

She encouraged residents to let her know of similar complaints.

However, in a March 13 email to Community Impact, Comcast stated crews had not worked in the Autumn Lakes area since December.

Officials said residents within Bryan city limits who are concerned about the utility work should contact the city’s Public Works Department.

What else?

Commissioners approved several additional items during the March 10 meeting, including:

• Salaries for two newly created medical examiner positions for the county
  • Read more about the decision here
• Acceptance of textbooks and learning materials donated by the Texas Education Agency for use in the Brazos County Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program
• Early voting locations for the May 26 primary runoff election
• Authorization for the Brazos County Sheriff’s Office to apply for a human trafficking task force grant through the U.S. Department of Justice