How KPUD improved the efficiency and redundancy for the emergency communications towers on Gold Mountain ridge, the highest peak in Kitsap County.
The project started on August 17, 2022 and was completed last April with construction taking a full year to complete. Due to the rugged and challenging terrain of the project location, it took extensive planning and several years to complete. Designing the project and accessing the area proved difficult, and required an ongoing fire watch to ensure the protection of natural resources.
Kitsap Public Utility District (KPUD) took on this telecommunication project, with the City of Bremerton as a partner, to extend broadband fiber in Bremerton from an established KPUD terminal approximately 2.5 miles (approximately 15,000 feet of fiber) to the Gold Mountain Communications Zone. The project cost was just over $815,000 and was funded by the Washington State Department of Commerce.
The new fiber connects five sites which are used for emergency cell and broadcasting communications. The Gold Mountain project increases communications capacity and resilience for all communications in Kitsap County and emergency communications in Jefferson and Mason counties. This communications zone is used by Kitsap County Gold Mountain Communications Zone How KPUD improved the efficiency and redundancy for the emergency communications towers on Gold Mountain ridge, the highest peak in Kitsap County. government cellular providers, 911, Puget Sound Energy, Washington State Patrol, Jefferson County Emergency Management, Mason County Emergency Management and beyond.
“KPUD is committed to enhancing the reliability and resilience of critical communication networks for our communities. The Gold Mountain Communications Zone project stands as a testament to that dedication. By connecting vital communication sites in the heart of Kitsap County, we’ve not only improved emergency response capabilities across multiple counties but also ensured a robust, future-proof infrastructure for the public safety, utility, and emergency services that depend on it,”
says Angela Bennink KPUD General Manager.
“This project, made possible through careful planning, collaboration, and overcoming significant challenges, highlights the power of innovation and teamwork in securing our region’s future.”
Kitsap Public Utility District
kpud.org