Weston to Cotter optic fibre project (ACTEW)

Part of the needs of the Bulk Water Alliance was a high speed communications circuit to support the remote major construction sites. Ecowise Services was contracted to design, supply and install the fibre optic circuit.

Project fundamentals were:

• Route from the Cotter pumping station to Canberra’s urban perimeter (Weston);
• Approx 7kms of 12 core self supporting optic fibre cable;
• Installation of the fibre onto existing 22kV powerline poles;
• Complete design review of the existing (1940’s vintage) 22kV powerline poles for structural adequacy for the new fibre cable (to the satisfaction of powerline owner ActewAGL);
• Reliable achievement of designer’s stringing tensions as per the stringing tables;
• All fibre splicing at the end-points plus 2 extra connection points (droppers) along the way;
• Most of the works undertaken with the powerline alive;
• Use of in-house ESI Lineworkers.