AGL NETWORKS EXPANDS NETWORK IN ARIZONA

The Phoenix office is proud to announce a new $4.8 million contract with AGL Networks LLC to expand their central Arizona fiber optic network. AGLN owns and operates a 118-mile network in Phoenix covering the central business district, midtown, the I-17 corridor, airport, and Tempe areas. Team Fishel will help construct the new fiber rings to be built in the suburbs of Scottsdale, Mesa, and Chandler.

According to Area Manager Greg West, this project consists of 158,000-feet of three 1.5-inch HDPE and approximately 400 handholes. The majority of work will be directionally drilled with a small portion of open-cut trenching.

"We have a drill crew from Houston and one from Dallas assisting on this project as well as two drill crews and two tie-in crew from Phoenix," says West.

The project began in September and AGL Networks would like to have it wrapped up before the end of the year.

"The hours we can work on-site are restricted by the city, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday with limited availability on weekends," adds West. "In order to meet the accelerated schedule, we are trying to get more flexibility from the city." West met with the local traffic manager and was able to obtain permission for a 24- hour lane closure running down Cave Creek Road from Peoria Street to Cactus Road, which is approximately 9,700 feet, and a critical area due to the rocky conditions. In addition, the lane closures will follow the crews as they move eliminating the need to call in approval as the job progresses.

The crews have dealt with traffic issues, equipment breakdowns, and redesigns to avoid existing utilities. These challenges, along with the shortened workday, leaves little slack in the production schedule. However, the project is on schedule and Greg is confident our team will be able to meet or even exceed AGLN’s expectations.

AGL Networks is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AGL Resources, which distributes natural gas in the southeastern U.S.