New information has emerged regarding a planned fiber optic route set to be established along a highway in northern British Columbia, as per insights obtained by CBC News. Following a series of recent telecommunications disruptions in the area, the telecom provider CityWest disclosed its intention to construct a pathway named the Northern Resiliency Project along Highway 37.
This initiative aims to create a new, physically separate telecommunications corridor through the northern region, offering an alternative route for network traffic in case of service interruptions. Highway 37, also known as the Stewart-Cassiar Highway, spans over 870 kilometers from the Kitwanga Junction on Highway 16 to the Yukon border. The proposed fiber optic route will commence in Dease Lake, B.C., and conclude in Watson Lake, Yukon.
CityWest, which caters to internet, television, and home phone services across a wide expanse of northwest and northern B.C., including regions like Prince Rupert, Haida Gwaii, and Vanderhoof, clarified that fiber optic cables do not contain copper susceptible to theft. Nevertheless, they can connect with other telecommunications infrastructure along the path.
In a joint effort with the Tahltan Nation Development Corporation, CityWest is developing the project, which will be accessible to other telecom carriers seeking enhanced network resilience. The new infrastructure will be laid underground, reducing visibility and exposure to risks like theft, wildfires, vehicle accidents, and wildlife interference.
Mayor Herb Pond of Prince Rupert commended CityWest’s efforts, highlighting the necessity of multiple network pathways. The project will incorporate equipment sites equipped with redundant power systems to ensure uninterrupted operations during prolonged power disruptions. The completion of the route is projected by the conclusion of 2027.
