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Google Fiber says network 57% complete; residents and council press company on noise, towing and restoration
Summary
Google Fiber told Kyle council its micro‑trench build is more than half complete and that first neighborhoods will turn service on soon; residents raised complaints about early‑morning starts, towing and paint/marking on newly paved streets and the company promised added outreach and process adjustments.
Google Fiber representatives told the Kyle City Council on June 16 that fiber construction using micro‑trench methods is roughly 57% complete and that the company expects to flip the first neighborhoods on in the coming weeks. The company described its construction process — a shallow saw cut along the curb, conduit placement, and same‑day flowable fill restoration — and emphasized rapid restoration and minimal yard impact compared with deeper‑cut approaches. “It’s going very, very well,” said company representative John Michael Cortez.
However, several residents described disruptive effects in neighborhoods: a resident reported a new splice box and lawn damage, others reported orange utility paint that has not washed away from newly paved streets, and multiple speakers described early‑morning door knocks and towing of vehicles blocking work zones. Cortez said Google uses door hangers, geo‑tagging of notices and no‑parking signs placed 48 hours before work; the company also described a practice of a “courtesy tow” — moving vehicles within the neighborhood at the company’s expense if owners cannot be located — and said it would enhance communications and consider shifting some start‑of‑work timing to avoid very early door knocks.
Council members and staff asked Google to provide clearer timelines for restoration, remove utility‑locate paint on request and to coordinate more tightly with the city’s 311 process for reporting damage. Council also encouraged the company to work with homeowners associations and to emphasize worker safety (heat and hydration) as summer work increases. City staff said residents should continue to use 311 to report incidents and that the company will provide updated outreach as neighborhoods are activated.
What to expect next: Google Fiber said it will announce a date for the first customer activations once a neighborhood build is fully tied into the network; the company committed to additional neighborhood outreach and to review start‑of‑work timing and signage practices to reduce disruption to residents.
