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Commission asks Caltrans rep to investigate Klamath middle‑mile broadband project shown without funding in milestone report
Summary
Commissioners questioned a Dec. 2024 Caltrans Milestones Report entry showing a middle‑mile broadband project in Klamath with no money attached despite being listed as approved and reported as scheduled to break ground; Caltrans representative Jesse Robertson said he would research and report back.
Del Norte commissioners raised a question on Feb. 4 about an entry in the December Caltrans Milestones Report that lists a middle‑mile broadband project in Klamath as an approved project but shows no associated funding. Commissioners said local Klamath residents and leaders are anxious for improved broadband and that the project was reported as scheduled to break ground in December 2024.
Jesse Robertson, the Caltrans representative in the meeting packet, said he had heard only recent rumblings about funding cutbacks in the broadband program and that he did not have complete information in the meeting. “I’ll have to look into that and we can get you guys a response,” Robertson said. He committed to researching whether the project missed funding milestones or was affected by program changes and to provide a follow‑up to the commission.
Why it matters: middle‑mile broadband projects affect internet availability for rural communities. A project listed as approved but without funding raises questions about project readiness and the timeline for construction and service improvements.
Next steps: Robertson will report back with details on the Klamath project’s funding status and whether milestones or state‑level program changes have affected its schedule.
