The City is constructing its own fiber backbone infrastructure (broadband network) to support broadband services among the City's public institutions, including schools, libraries, public safety buildings, and other City facilities.  The current institutional network, or " I-Net," which was the first network of its kind in Virginia, now connects nearly 90 municipal and educational facilities and is largely leased from Comcast.

In addition to improving connectivity among City facilities and sites, the Municipal Fiber project will create potential partnership opportunities to expand consumer choice and increase available speeds for broadband services available in Alexandria. In response to consistent feedback regarding the lack of options for cable television and broadband Internet services, the City has actively pursued other potential providers. With the construction of the new fiber optic network, the City is planning to seek new partners who could lease excess conduit space to provide broadband service to residents and businesses. This would allow all providers to compete fairly and would encourage providers to offer consumer services. 

Because digging and burying conduit is a significant cost of building a fiber network, the City is taking all reasonable opportunities to lay conduit wherever current digging projects are already underway and align with the municipal fiber construction. This approach strives to avoid unnecessary impacts on neighborhoods and businesses.  

Project Budget: $19,870,000

CIP Section: IT Plan

Learn more about the City of Alexandria's Fiscal Year Budget.

• Planning: December 2019 - June 2020
• Design: March 2020 - January 2021    
• Construction: January 2021 - September 2025

The City of Alexandria completed the system backbone design and schedule in August 2019. The plans incorporated:

• Connectivity needs for City buildings, public schools, libraries and public safety communication
• Smart Mobility transportation improvement initiative design requirements
• Time to explore opportunities to maximize the impact of the City’s investment in fiber.

Related Resources: 

• City backbone map
• City facilities list

Construction Overview

In April 2021, the City awarded the contract for construction of the Municipal Fiber Network to Jones Utilities Construction. On Monday, August 23, 2021, the City broke ground on construction of the Municipal Fiber Network in front of the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria's Vola Lawson Animal Shelter - one of the project's first four construction sites.

Construction Update

The construction work is substantially complete. The remaining tasks include fiber splicing and the installation of termination panels.

CONSTRUCTION IMPACTS

• Access to buildings, driveways, and parking lots will be maintained at all times.
• Crews will be on-site to direct traffic during construction hours.