Board declares airport fiber replacement an emergency, approves $56,374 project

The La Crosse Board of Public Works approved an emergency replacement of the airport’s damaged fiber connection on Sept. 2, authorizing the use of airport operating funds to pay a low qualified bidder.

Airport staff told the board the fiber line was chewed through by a rodent more than a year ago and the airport has relied on a temporary point‑to‑point internet connection since. “It was meant to be a temporary solution, not long term, so we’re needing to move forward with replacing the fiber,” the airport presenter said, adding intermittent outages have continued.

Staff said they sought federal and state grant funding but could not find a viable path and identified three quotes and a qualified low bidder. The presenter said the project was already in the airport’s capital improvement plan for a later year but staff asked to move it forward because the temporary system is unreliable. The final cost presented to the board was $56,373.96.

Council members asked about funding source; the presenter confirmed the replacement will be paid from airport operating funds. The board approved the emergency replacement by motion (moved by Director Gallagher, seconded by Council member Goggin); the transcript records the motion passing unanimously.

Next steps include contracting with the selected vendor and scheduling the fiber replacement; specific contractor name and contract details were not recorded in the meeting transcript.