Essex County Broadband Project
The Essex County Board of Supervisors and leadership team recognize the importance of making reliable and affordable high speed internet service available to all citizens and businesses in Essex County. We are pleased to announce that in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and our internet service supplier, Breezeline, Essex County has entered into an agreement to provide universal affordable broadband to the citizens of Essex County. This is a $27+M investment in broadband for Essex County with a $4M portion committed by the County. The scope includes 530 miles of fiber backbone and 3,725 drops. The project is a multiyear initiative with an anticipated completion in September, 2026. For additional information and inquiries, please connect to https://events.breezeline.us/essexcounty2023/countywebsite .
Broadband Project Update 1/3/24
Breezeline is currently conducting field walkouts to create the final design of the project. These activities will include a survey of addresses, footage measurements and easement activities. Once the walkout and design phase is completed, Breezeline will begin the construction process and the Breezeline website will post an interactive map to enable visitors to check for addresses included in the project.
The timeline for construction and activation will be announced once preliminary phases are completed in the County. The construction to access underground and utility easements is expected to start Spring of 2024.
Broadband Project Update 7/25/24
We are excited to communicate that the walkout survey and design phase of the Essex County Broadband Project is complete and construction activity has begun. The aerial portion of construction is currently in the pole permitting process and will be followed by the pole “make ready” process with the affected utility companies.
The underground fiber installation has begun in the western portion of the County along Route 360 and will soon begin in the far northern portion of the County along Route 17. You may notice evidence of this activity such as fiber and pedestal installations.
Stay tuned for further updates!
Broadband Project Update 10/22/2024
Take a look at the map above to see how the project is progressing in your area!
Some key pieces of information of which you should be aware:
- To make sure your address is part of the project, please reach out to Breezeline via the address portal (https://events.breezeline.us/essexcounty-youhaveachoice/original_page)! If internet difficulties impede your ability to fill out the web form, please call the County GIS office at 804-443-3490 and we’ll type in the info you relay to us over the phone!
- If you live down a long driveway/private road, make sure the owner of the road gives Breezeline permission to come down the road!
- If you have non-Miss Utility buried features (sprinklers, electric fences, etc), let Breezeline know so they don’t inadvertently find them!