Wythe County hears Mount Rogers fiber update; officials told 76% of passings in latest section complete
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Summary
Mount Rogers Planning District told the Wythe County Board that construction crews have completed about 76% of the passings for the current section, permitting with VDOT is about 80% complete, and staff expects the last sections to finish by spring, weather permitting.
The Wythe County Board of Supervisors received a status update Nov. 12 from Mount Rogers Planning District Commission on a countywide fiber project. Commission representative Mister Sizemore told supervisors crews have been working for “a little over a month,” permitting with the Virginia Department of Transportation is roughly 80% complete, and “76% of those passings have now been made” for the remaining section currently under construction. Donna, a Mount Rogers representative, said an interactive map on the commission’s website is updated weekly to show areas that move from pending to complete.
Board members sought clarification on what the 76% figure covers. Sizemore said the figure applies to the remaining passings under the current contract segment (the “last piece” of that eastern section) rather than the county’s entire planned network. Commission staff said new crews started earlier in the month and they expect to increase pace, but the project’s finish timeline depends on weather and VDOT permitting. “To be honest, it’s going to be spring of the year,” Donna said, adding that a mild winter would help them stay on track.
The board and commission also discussed customer outreach and installation pace. Commission staff reported about 65 installs since work began and roughly 22 pending requests from customers who have contacted the project and are awaiting scheduling. Commissioners asked about outreach tools; staff said they have mailed notices, used yard signs, and will continue customer contacts as areas are converted from pending to complete.
Chair remarks at the meeting emphasized the county’s ongoing representation on the Mount Rogers Planning District board and said the board will send the required nomination letter when the county’s seat becomes vacant in January. The board did not take any formal action on the fiber update; the briefing was informational and staff said they will continue to provide periodic progress reports.