PUD OK's fiber optic grant application; Little Island Road closure next week

By Diana Zimmerman

Two big projects got some forward motion at the Wahkiakum County PUD Board of Commissioners meeting, when an application for a broadband feasibility study and the purchase of a transformer were approved on Tuesday.

During a public hearing to discuss the PUD’s application for a Community Economic Revitalization Board grant to do a fiber optic broadband feasibility study, new Wahkiakum resident David Olson expressed his pleasure for the project.

“Broadband represents the roads and bridges and electric of this century and rural broadband is essential for jobs, businesses, everything else,” Olson said. “I think it’s terrific you are pursuing this.”

The commissioners approved the resolution to authorize the application for the $50,000 feasibility grant.

General Manager David Tramblie reported that an electrical outage was planned the following day in the Elochoman Valley to remove a hazardous tree. A pole had recently been removed from a slide area in Altoona and a tree project was completed in Flandersville.

Tramblie is hoping to close access to West Little Island Road 30 and 31 in order to repair a leak found on Little Island bridge. The plan will allow the PUD to continue to provide service to customers.

After an executive session, the commissioners announced that they decided to accept a bid in the amount of $316,428 from WEG for the purchase and delivery of a new transformer for the Grays River substation.

County Commissioner Mike Backman attended the meeting and invited the PUD to join the Cowlitz Wahkiakum Council of Governments.