LEWISTON, Idaho — The Port of Lewiston has officially begun construction on a significant project aimed at establishing a 92-mile broadband “backbone” to provide reliable, affordable, and accessible high-speed internet to underserved areas of North Central Idaho.
“This middle-mile backbone will help create the first north-south fiberoptic network within the state of Idaho,” Port of Lewiston General Manager Scott Corbitt said. “Not only will the benefits of enhanced connectivity and accelerated economic development flow to the residents of North Central Idaho, but the entire State will finally feel the effects of addressing the digital divide.”
Crown Utilities, an Idaho-based contractor, began construction last week on the initial segment, which will lay fiber optic cable from Moscow to Lewiston. The subsequent phase will eventually extend the infrastructure from Lewiston to Grangeville.
The project is funded by a U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration grant, an Idaho Broadband Advisory Board grant, and Port dollars. It aims to create an “information superhighway” to bridge a digital gap in central Idaho.