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Lee County broadband projects on track, officials say; several segments set to finish in 2026
Summary
County broadband coordinator reported progress across multiple federally funded fiber projects — Salem (complete), several South Central and Phase 2 areas now in permitting or construction, and a Lo Chipoca project due January 2026 — and agreed to provide regular updates on Spectrum activity.
Miss Leverett, the county broadband project coordinator, told the Lee County Commission that the county’s federally funded fiber build is advancing across multiple project areas and that several segments are scheduled to finish well before the federal reporting deadline.
"The Salem project...is 8.5 total fiber miles, with a total served of 110 locations," Leverett said, and noted the Salem work was "100% complete as of December". She said a separate Phase 1 South Central contract awarded to RM Green covers 11.1 fiber miles serving 187 locations and is in permitting, with an estimated completion date shown in the report.
Leverett laid out the Phase 2 program by area: a South Central package (21 miles, about 127 locations) currently in permitting with an estimated March 2026 completion; a combined Northeast/East Central area she said totals roughly 24 miles and about 370 locations with parts already turned up and an estimated February 2026 finish; and a Phase 2 Southeast segment (25 miles) that remains in design and is expected to finish in September 2026. She identified the Lo Chipoca project, awarded to Spectrum, as 9.9 miles serving 89 residential locations and said construction and turn-up work indicate a projected January 2026 completion for that piece.
Commissioners and residents asked whether lines have been physically installed in specific areas and whether maps are available. Leverett directed attendees to the project maps shown on the screen and said residential connections should follow soon after construction is complete. "Yes," she replied when asked for more frequent updates; she agreed to provide regular status reports on Spectrum’s activity.
Why it matters: The projects are funded through federal programs with reporting deadlines; finishing substantial segments early reduces the risk of having to return funds. The update included mileages, counts of residential, business and community anchor locations for each segment and projected completion windows, which county staff said are the most recent figures submitted to federal partners.
What’s next: Leverett said she will supply further updates on construction progress and residential connection timelines, especially for the Lo Chipoca/Spectrum area.
