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Kearney approves right-of-way agreement with United Fiber to expand citywide broadband
Summary
The Kearney Board of Aldermen adopted Bill 35-20-24 approving a right-of-way use agreement with United Fiber LLC to extend fiber across Kearney, with the company and staff describing a local restoration process and a rough construction timeline of about 120–180 days; the ordinance passed unanimously.
The Kearney Board of Aldermen on a unanimous vote adopted Bill 35-20-24, approving a right-of-way use agreement with United Fiber LLC that will allow the company to extend fiber service through much of Kearney.
Community development director David Pavlovich told the board United Fiber’s proposal covers areas north of Highway 92 and extends south and into central neighborhoods west of the railroad, including Brookhaven and Regency Drive areas. Pavlovich said the agreement is the standard right-of-way use contract the city uses for utilities and requires the company to maintain insurance, obtain permits for work in rights-of-way, and restore affected areas.
A United Fiber representative said the company will leave door-hang tags at affected homes explaining the construction process and providing a local contact number for restoration concerns; if issues are not resolved, callers can escalate to the company’s local management. Representatives described a local presence with offices in nearby communities and estimated construction could be completed in roughly 120–180 days once work begins.
The ordinance was read on first and second readings and approved on second reading by voice vote; the clerk called the roll with aldermen voting aye and the mayor announcing the vote was unanimous.
The right-of-way agreement requires United Fiber to obtain street-cut and right-of-way permits for each segment of work and to meet warranty and restoration obligations in the ordinance. Pavlovich said the warranty period in the ordinance requires the company to return and repair defects; staff and company representatives discussed a two-year warranty as the typical expectation.
Pavlovich and company representatives said construction will proceed in phases and the company anticipates pulling permits and working across neighborhoods over the coming months. The city welcomed the company’s stated local contact and restoration process as key to limiting disruptions during the build-out.
The agreement and ordinance were recorded as Bill 35-20-24; the board’s action authorizes staff to execute the right-of-way use agreement with United Fiber LLC and to process required permits as construction progresses.
