PROJECT UPDATE By Errol Bisutti Oakland to San Jose in Three Months!   Underground has proudly received an award of a large contract to construct over 58 miles of fiber optic duct structure for GST of California, Inc. The structure is comprised of 8 each 1-1/2" duct. The project will run from Webster and 20th in downtown Oakland to Vine and San Fernando St. in the heart of San Jose. The entire project is along heavily traveled streets and congested intersections. There are numerous "long" bores crossing Interstate 880 twice, three other major highways, and flood control canals. This will be an ambitious project in that the work is to be completed within a three-month time frame. To meet this time constraint, 13 bore crews will be required to work simultaneously. Underground has committed a majority of its directional boring capacity as well as joined forces with its Quanta partners, Golden State Utilities and Manual Bros., in order to meet the schedule.  Obtaining permits for the project, the responsibility of Telephony Technical, has been a daunting task. The construction cuts through eight cities, crosses numerous railroads, CALTRANS, and BART right-of-ways; each requires its own permit. We have been able to begin work in Alameda County, Union City, and Oakland, which accounts for only 25% of the total distance. Additional permits are expected within the next few weeks. The Underground Construction project team consists of many veterans of fiber optic projects: Errol Bisutti - Project Manager, Mel Jennings - General Superintendent, Randy Kent and Chris Stream - key critical foremen, with Matt Cook and Mindi Ritzman providing the engineering and technical support. Back to Top of Page