Los Alamos Suffers Internet, Cell Service Outages Due to Fiber Cuts: What Went wrong?
Fiber optic line cuts during a water line replacement project plunged Los Alamos into internet and cell service darkness in march. An inquiry reveals a mix of contractor error, utility missteps, and outdated mapping contributed to the outages. What steps are being taken to prevent future communication blackouts in this New mexico town?
Double Whammy: Back-to-Back Communication Failures
Los Alamos residents and businesses experienced significant disruptions on March 11 and March 17 when internet and cell phone services were abruptly cut off. The outages weren’t due to a cyberattack or equipment failure, but rather, physical damage to fiber optic lines during an infrastructure project. The incidents raised concerns about communication reliability and the coordination of utility projects within the County.
James Alarid, Deputy Utility Manager for the Engineering Division, addressed the Los Alamos County Council on March 25 to explain the situation, detailing the root causes of the service interruptions tied to the N.M.4 Water Transmission Line Replacement/Fiber Conduit Installation Project, specifically along N.M.4 between N.M. 502 and Rover Boulevard.
Alarid stated, “We found out that the damage that took place on the 11th of March was the fault of the contractor and on the 17th of March, that was a bad locate so it was the fault of the utility, which is Lumen.”
A Perfect Storm of Errors: Contractor Blunders and Mapping Inaccuracies
The investigation revealed a combination of factors contributed to the fiber cuts. On March 11, the contractor working on the water line replacement project damaged a fiber line. A week later, on March 17, a “bad locate” – inaccurate marking of underground utilities – by Lumen, the utility company responsible for the fiber optic lines, led to a second outage. This highlights a critical issue in infrastructure projects: accurate mapping and diligent execution are paramount.For U.S. readers, this situation echoes similar incidents nationwide where construction activities near buried utilities result in service disruptions, costing businesses time and money and potentially endangering public safety.
Alarid explained that the project was approximately 67 percent complete as of late March, with another 3,700 feet requiring trenching near the fiber optic line. This remaining work presents continued risk, emphasizing the need for heightened vigilance.
County Demands Action: More Support and Improved Communication
In response to the outages,Los Alamos County officials requested that Lumen provide additional on-site support for the project. The County specifically asked for a full-time Lumen representative to be present at the construction site to oversee the work and ensure accurate utility locations. However, as of March 25, Alarid reported that this request had not yet been fulfilled. This raises questions about Lumen’s responsiveness and commitment to preventing future disruptions.
Despite the lack of a full-time representative, Alarid noted some improvements in communication between the locator and the contractor. The contractor has reportedly slowed down digging operations and increased visual inspections in areas where the location of fiber optic lines is uncertain. This proactive approach, while commendable, underscores the need for systemic improvements in utility mapping and communication protocols.
alarid conceded, “They’re finding that the fiber optic and the locate wire are periodically not close enough to trust… State law says you have to be within 18 inches of your mark, otherwise it’s the utilities’ fault if it gets damaged. We’re well beyond that in a lot of areas but we did a little bit of … our engineering plans didn’t have the fiber optic line identified in most of the alignment where it turned out to be … so we followed up with our engineers so their due diligence is to … call in design locates and the utilities have to come out there and paint the ground. It wasn’t done for most of this alignment. Lumen painted some of the ground, but it didn’t identify the majority of it.”
Negotiations and Innovative Solutions: Sleeving to the Rescue?
To prevent further damage, the County is negotiating with the contractor to implement risk-reduction strategies. One technique being considered is “sleeving,” where new, smaller pipes are inserted into existing, larger pipes. This method minimizes the need for extensive excavation near sensitive utilities. Sleeving represents a practical solution that could be adopted in similar infrastructure projects across the U.S. to reduce the risk of utility damage.
Redundancy on the Horizon: A Silver Lining?
County Manager Anne Laurent clarified that while the water line installation is a County-owned project,the fiber optic installation is not. However, she highlighted a positive outcome: the fiber optic installation will provide a redundant line, enhancing the overall reliability of communication services in Los Alamos. This redundancy offers a crucial backup in case of future disruptions,showcasing the long-term benefits of the project despite the initial setbacks.
Beyond the Outages: Other County Council Business
During the same meeting where the fiber optic line damage was discussed, the Los Alamos County Council addressed several other key issues:
| Issue | Details | Implications |
|---|---|---|
| Arts and Public Places Board | Council directed the Board to reconsider purchasing ‘The Boys of Pajarito Plateau’ painting following a citizen petition. | Demonstrates responsiveness to community input on public art investments. |
| Los Alamos Little theater Fire Suppression Project | Project to install a fire suppression system in the theater is underway, with asbestos abatement and building upgrades planned. | Ensures the safety of a historic community venue and paves the way for future improvements. |
| Local Economic Advancement Act (LEDA) Program Revisions | Proposed modifications to the LEDA program to better support local retailers with smaller funding needs and faster turnaround times. | Aims to stimulate local economic growth by providing accessible financial assistance to small businesses. |
| Metropolitan Redevelopment Act (MRA) | Discussion on the proposed MRA for the eastern part of downtown was tabled for a future meeting. | Indicates ongoing efforts to revitalize and redevelop key areas of Los Alamos. |
Lessons Learned and Future Implications
The Los Alamos fiber optic line incidents serve as a cautionary tale for communities across the U.S. The events highlight the importance of:
- Accurate Utility Mapping: Ensuring that underground utilities are precisely located and documented.
- Effective Communication: Fostering clear and consistent communication between contractors, utility companies, and local governments.
- Proactive Risk Management: Implementing strategies like “sleeving” to minimize the risk of utility damage during construction.
- Redundancy: building in backup systems to ensure service continuity in the event of disruptions.
By addressing these critical areas,communities can reduce the likelihood of similar incidents and protect vital communication infrastructure. As infrastructure projects continue to be implemented nationwide,the Los Alamos experience offers valuable lessons for preventing costly and disruptive outages.
Do you believe that the current methods of utility mapping and communication adequately address the increasing complexities of underground infrastructure, and what improvements do you think are most crucial in your own community?
Fiber Optic Outages in Los Alamos: An Interview with Utility Infrastructure Expert, Dr. Anya Sharma
Archyde News: Welcome, Dr. Sharma. The recent fiber optic cable cuts in Los Alamos led to meaningful internet and cell service disruptions. Can you give us a general overview of the situation and its impact?
Dr. Sharma: Thank you for having me. The outages were quite disruptive, impacting both residents and businesses. The issue stemmed from damage to fiber optic cables during infrastructure projects, specifically water line replacement and fiber conduit installation along N.M.4. This highlights the critical need for careful planning and execution in these types of projects.
Archyde News: The article mentioned two incidents, one due to contractor error and another caused by a “bad locate.” Could you elaborate on these issues and how thay contributed to the outages?
Dr. Sharma: Certainly. On March 11th, the contractor working on the water line replacement damaged a fiber optic line. A week later, a “bad locate” – inaccurate marking of underground utilities by Lumen, the utility company responsible for the fiber optic lines– led to a second outage. Poor locating, or marking buried utilities, is often a source of these kinds of issues. This signifies a lack of accuracy in locating underground utilities.
Archyde News: What specific steps are being taken to mitigate future outages? We understand the county authorities are seeking improvements.
Dr. Sharma: The county is rightly focusing on several areas. They’re pushing for a full-time Lumen representative on-site for better oversight and communication. This also includes improving utility mapping procedures and the contractor is increasing visual inspections. One innovative solution being considered is “sleeving,” where new pipes are inserted into existing, larger ones to minimize excavation near sensitive utilities. Though, with nearly 3,700 feet of trenching still required, the risks persist during the project phase.
Archyde News: So the fiber optic project will bring a redundant line, this is great! What is the most crucial takeaway from these incidents for othre communities undertaking similar infrastructure progress, and how do they prevent similar outages?
Dr. Sharma: The key lesson is the importance of accurate utility mapping,effective communication,and proactive risk management. Communities must emphasize precise utility locations, clear communication protocols between contractors, utility companies, and local governments, and the implementation of risk-reduction strategies like sleeving. Moreover, building redundancies, such as the fiber optic line, is crucial for service continuity.
Archyde News: Regarding this redundancy, how crucial is it, and can you give a practical example of the benefits in the community?
Dr.Sharma: Redundancy is extremely important. It acts as a backup system. Imagine a situation requiring emergency services, or a critical transaction is taking place online. In case of a fiber cut, any data traffic can automatically reroute to the redundant line.
Archyde News: considering the challenges faced, what advancements or technologies do you think are on the horizon that can definitely help avoid these situations altogether?
Dr. Sharma: We’re seeing rapid progress in several areas: better technologies for ground penetrating radar, and other non-invasive methods of detecting utilities during construction are essential. Also, advanced AI-powered risk assessment tools and the use of digital twins i.e. complete, 3D models of all underground infrastructure that could be updated in real-time as construction progresses, will decrease the need for on-site location. These technological advancements are essential in reducing the risks and improving the safety of these vital communications networks.
Archyde news: Dr. Sharma,this has been incredibly insightful. Thank you for shedding light on this critically important issue. what one question you would pose to our readers to spark dialogue on the subject?
Dr.Sharma: Do you believe that the current methods of utility mapping and communication adequately address the increasing complexities of underground infrastructure, and what improvements do you think are most crucial in your own community? We invite you to share your views!
Archyde News: Thank you, Dr.Sharma, for your valuable insights.
