Pasadena Tests Faster Fiber Installation Method

Pasadena’s Public Works Department has completed a pilot program testing new fiber optic installation technology that promises to reduce construction time and neighborhood disruption.

The city partnered with Crown Castle Communications Infrastructure Solutions to test Rapid Connect Trenching along Hammond Street. The method installed 1,440 feet of fiber optic cable in just two days.

Traditional trenching methods would have required a week or more for the same project. The conventional approach also leaves behind visible asphalt patches that mark the construction site.

The new technology uses a two-step process. A specialized machine first cuts a narrow slot in the pavement. Workers then install the fiber cable, add protective rubber gaskets, and apply surface sealers.

Greg de Vinck, Pasadena’s Public Works Director, oversaw the pilot program that took place north of Lincoln Avenue. The installation aims to improve broadband and cellular coverage throughout the city.

Crown Castle plans to install additional fiber segments across Pasadena. The company identified areas with weak cellular coverage as priority locations for future installations.

The pilot program demonstrates how infrastructure improvements can advance with less impact on daily traffic and business operations. The narrow cutting method preserves more of the original roadway surface.

Public Works officials say the technology offers cost savings compared to traditional methods. The reduced construction timeline means fewer traffic delays and shorter periods of restricted street access.

The Hammond Street installation serves as a test case for broader deployment of the technology. Success of the pilot could influence how the city approaches future telecommunications infrastructure projects.

Crown Castle’s expansion plans indicate the technology will see continued use in Pasadena’s efforts to address cellular dead zones and improve connectivity citywide.