by
dane » Thu May 24, 2018 3:50 pm
user928392 wrote:Is trenchless new utiltiy construction the same as micro trenching?
Wireline communication utilities are now built using two methods: horizontal directional drilling (HDD), also known as "boring", and microtrenching. A microtrench takes advantage of the physically small size of modern fiber optic cables, by cutting a slot just 1/2" to 1.5" wide, and typically 4" to 12" deep. Each of these "trenchless" deployment methods is critical to building any communications network today, and the City of San Francisco's Department of Public Works (DPW) currently disallows both.
How can we help? Which politician can we call?
The Board of Supervisors is considering a measure that would require SF DPW to allow microtrenching. But as currently drafted, it requires an 18" depth cut - this isn't microtreching, because a saw blade that can cut that deep must be much wider than 1.5", so the result is that the roadway or sidewalk must have much more costly repair. It also simply won't work because all of the pre-existing utilities begin at 18". The beauty of microtrenching is that at 4"-12", it does not ever reach the level where prior utilities are located.
But SF's DPW does seem determined to block microtrenching, and in a hearing just last week, a representative stated DPW's concern that a microtrench would cut the laterals to the homes of pre-existing utilities, including not only communications and power, but also gas and water. They seemed, intentionally or not, to confuse the Supervisors who were present. I think that DPW's priority is keeping the roads and sidewalks in the best possible shape, and broadband deployment is not their main goal.
But, it is pretty simple: Microtrenching is 4"-12", and existing utilities are at 18"-36", so there should be no conflict.
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