Astound Broadband and Pierce County are moving forward with a major broadband expansion in Washington’s Nisqually region, bringing high-speed internet to more than 3,500 homes with symmetrical speeds up to 5 Gbps.
The project will involve 113 miles of fiber construction and will upgrade both aerial and underground infrastructure to reach underserved neighborhoods. The works are planned in two corridors:
- Along the Highway 702 corridor from the junction of Highway 507 (McKenna) to Highway 161 (Clear Lake), including main roads (Harts Lake Road South, Allen Road South, 8th Street South, Eatonville Cutoff Road, Jensen Road East) and smaller side streets within those areas.
- Along the Highway 7 corridor from 304th Street East (Johnson’s Corner) south to Cranberry Lake, including main roads (340th Street East, Christensen Muck Road E, 320th Street East) and smaller side streets within those areas.
Residents in the project area should expect lane impacts, with certified flaggers, signage, shoulder closures, and occasional lane shifts. Drivers are urged to slow down and follow all posted signs and flaggers during construction. The work is slated for completion later this year.
The $13.3 million public-private partnership will see Pierce County contribute $7.97 million from federal ARPA funds, with Astound covering the remaining $5.33 million. The collaboration is part of Pierce County’s ongoing effort to expand broadband infrastructure to underserved areas and boost local economic opportunity.
About Astound Broadband: Astound Broadband is one of the nation’s largest cable operators, delivering fiber-powered internet, TV, mobile and voice services to residential and business customers across the United States.
