Editor's note: This story has been updated to clarify Comcast officials said they had not worked in the Autumn Lakes subdivision within Bryan since December.
Brazos County Commissioners Court approved multiple utility permits at its March 10 meeting, allowing fiber optic infrastructure to be installed along several county roads within Precinct 1.
What you need to know
The permits give Comcast the green light to install fiber optic lines underground along multiple county roads. Some of those include:
- North Dowling Road
- 645 feet in right of way and two crossings
- Reveille Road
- Walnut Road
- Saddle Creek Drive
- Eight crossings and 350 feet in right of way
- Prairie Dawn Trail
- Vintage Oaks Court
- I&GN Road
- 1,046 feet in right of way
- Straub Road
- Two crossings and 1,645 feet in right of way
- Stousland Road
- Three crossings and 1,627 feet in right of way
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
- 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
