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Commission approves temporary easement to let Spectrum bore fiber under St. Marys River to serve Sugar and Neibish Islands
Summary
The Sault Ste. Marie City Commission unanimously approved a temporary construction easement allowing Spectrum Mid‑America LLC to bore fiber under the St. Marys River to bring all‑fiber broadband to Sugar Island and a second crossing to Neibish/Neebish Island. Spectrum and island residents said the project will expand service to thousands and enable telehealth and education access.
Mayor Gary opened the Aug. 3 meeting and the commission heard a presentation and public comment on a Spectrum project to extend all‑fiber service to Sugar Island and an additional crossing to Neibish/Neebish Island.
Marilyn Passmore, state director for government affairs for Spectrum Michigan, said the under‑river bore is a "very significant project" that will bring Spectrum Gigabit Internet and related services to island residents. "This is a project that is all fiber," she said, and Spectrum representatives described the crossing as roughly a 2,000‑foot bore with about 275 feet on the Sault Ste. Marie side. Chris Spray, Spectrum's area vice president for Michigan, added that the company has activated over 900 homes in Chippewa County as part of the build and is committed to serving rural communities.
Residents and local officials urged approval. Phyllis Reed, president of the Niobish Island Improvement Association, said the association and year‑round residents "are in support of Spectrum coming to the island" to help students and families access online education and services. Mark Itram, Sugar Island township supervisor, called the project "a game changer" for roughly 700 full‑time residents and many seasonal visitors, and Jason Cronenmeyer of the EUP Connect Collaborative estimated the project represents about $18 million in economic activity.
City Engineer David Boyle told commissioners the city negotiated a limited temporary construction easement for staging the boring machine and would sign a statement of no objection to send to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Commissioner Marble moved to approve the temporary construction easement and to authorize Mayor Gary and Interim City Manager Robin Troyer to sign the documents. The motion passed unanimously.
The approval allows Spectrum to proceed with permitting and final construction scheduling; Spectrum said the build will improve broadband access for homes, businesses, schools and telehealth in the eastern Upper Peninsula.
