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���cPScpoes...ro ryFc <br /> o Kittitas County,Washington <br /> BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS <br /> District One District Two District Three <br /> KITTITA3 COL.-NTY Cory Wright Laura Osiadacz Brett Wachsmith <br /> June 8, 2026 <br /> Ms. Jordan Arnold, Director <br /> Washington State Broadband Office <br /> Washington State Department of Commerce <br /> RE: Broadband Expansion and Impact of BNSF <br /> Dear Ms. Arnold, <br /> On behalf of Kittitas County, we write to you regarding significant delays and excessive costs <br /> associated with broadband infrastructure permits required from BNSF Railway for critical rural <br /> broadband expansion projects in Kittitas County. These delays now threaten our ability to complete <br /> grant-funded broadband deployments before funding deadlines expire. <br /> Kittitas County has been awarded broadband infrastructure grants through two Washington State <br /> programs, with grant funding expiring October 2026: <br /> 1. The Thorp and Edgemont broadband projects are funded through ARPA/SLFRF grants <br /> administered by the Washington State Public Works Board. <br /> 2. An extension of the Edgemont project is funded through ARPA/SLFRF grants administered <br /> by the Washington State Broadband Office. <br /> Kittitas County has contracted with Lightcurve to design, build, and operate these broadband <br /> networks. However, Lightcurve has encountered substantial obstacles obtaining the necessary <br /> BNSF right-of-way permits needed to complete portions of the project. <br /> In the Thorp project area, Lightcurve has spent more than a year attempting to obtain clear <br /> information and reasonable justification regarding a verbally requested permit cost of <br /> approximately$450,000 from BNSF.The work in question involves placing additional fiber strands <br /> into an existing conduit already located within BNSF right-of-way, spanning approximately 1,300 <br /> feet. <br /> During discussions, Lightcurve was initially told the cost reflected previously unbilled <br /> infrastructure use within the BNSF corridor. That explanation was later withdrawn and replaced <br /> with a statement that the charge was solely for adding additional fiber strands to the existing <br /> conduit.Despite repeated requests,BNSF has not provided sufficient written documentation or cost <br /> justification to support the proposed amount. <br /> Kittitas County Courthouse• 205 West 5t''Avenue,STE 108 •Ellensburg,WA 98926 <br /> (509)962-7508 -FAX(509)962-7679 <br />