THE DITCH witch machine beside Central Park on Wednesday was bringing the system of pipelines carrying the National Broadband Network to one of its closest points of connection with Armidale’s
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central business district.
Workers from Silcar bored the trench and pulled the pipe destined to carry the fibre optic cable, joining it to existing Telstra conduits near the corner of Faulkner and Dangar streets.
NBN Co area construction manager Aaron White said they were now in the final stages of linking various pipes around Armidale to the Telstra Exchange on Dumaresq St.
“Within the CBD we’re trying to minimise construction and use existing infrastructure where possible,” Mr White said.
He expects this build phase will soon be finished, and the subsequent phase of laying the fibre optic cables will begin.
“Residents will be able to see us hauling fibre within the next week or so,” Mr White said. “We’re still some time away from connecting everybody, but we’re close to the milestone where we start hauling cable on the southern side of the CBD.”
Mr White wasn’t able to give a finish date for the whole NBN installation in Armidale.
“The end of the year was the forecast date, but I can’t give you a specific date at the moment because there are so many different variables that come into play,” he said. “We’re progressing well in Armidale, and ready to start hauling in certain
sections soon.”
However, he did say that this part of the build - up to the point where residential premises could be connected - would be completed within 12 months.