The engineering phase has begun in WK&T’s project to bring world-class communications services to the city of Martin.
Vehicles from Palmetto Engineering and Consulting that are marked with the WK&T logo have begun appearing in the city, traveling the streets and parked along roadsides. Palmetto’s crew is currently surveying the Martin area and designing the placement of fiber facilities and access points for fiber.
A process called “staking,” this is the crucial phase where the plans are drawn. Palmetto employees are surveying the area to determine the best location and construction technique for the fiber. This requires a good bit of inspecting, studying right-of-way and making extensive notes. Much of this work requires engineers to be on foot with measuring devices and clipboards.
Once the phases are staked and plans are designed, Palmetto will hand those plans to a contractor to build the facilities. As the contractor begins installing fiber in the ground, Palmetto will take on the role of consultant and act as the liaison between the contractor, WK&T and the city of Martin. Palmetto engineers will be in place to address any issues or problems that may arise as the project moves along and to make changes to the engineering plans accordingly. Palmetto’s part of the fiber project is more than just planning; it is also making sure that the plan is implemented and adapted properly while the work is being done.
As portions of the fiber network are completed, crews will begin connecting fiber to individual homes and businesses. This will require a new fiber optic cable, known as a drop, to be placed from the access location to the side of the home or business. Crews will then install the equipment needed inside the premises.
When the project is complete, every resident and business in Martin will have access to high-speed bandwidth over a 100 percent fiber network, powering the fastest internet available. Case studies such as these show that Martin’s connection to a fiber network could be life-changing for the community.
Palmetto is an engineering firm of about 170 employees, based in Piedmont, South Carolina. Beyond telecommunications, its professional team of licensed engineers has assisted clients in such industries as extrusion, pharmaceutical, film, rubber and chemicals, OEM manufacturing, general industrial manufacturing, oil and gas.