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_:dr <br />ITT11A(-()I NTN <br />June 8, 2026 <br />Kitfitas County, Washington <br />BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS <br />District One <br />Cory Wright <br />Ms. Jordan Arnold, Director <br />Washington State Broadband Office <br />Washington State Department of Commerce <br />District Two <br />Laura Osiadacz <br />RE: Broadband Expansion and Impact of BNSF <br />Dear Ms. Arnold, <br />District Three <br />Brett chsmith <br />On behalf of Ki"tti*tas County, we write to ��ou regarding significant delays and excessive costs <br />associated with broadband infrastructure permits required from BNSF Railway for critical rural <br />111 broadband expansion projects in Kttitas iCounty. These delays now threaten our ability to complete <br />grant -funded broadband deployments before funding deadlines expire. <br />Kl*ttitas 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/St,FRF grants administered <br />by r the Washington State Broadband Office. <br />Kitti*tas County has contracted with Ligyhtcurve to design, build, and operate these broadband <br />networks. However., Liahtcurve has encountered substantial obstacles obtaining the necessary <br />BNSF ri ght-of-way permi ts needed <br />to complete -portions otthe 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 $45().000 from BNSF. The work in qullestion involves placing additional fiber strands <br />into an existing conduit already located within E3NSf= right-of-way, spanning approximately 1,300 <br />feet. <br />During discussions, Liglitcurve 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 That explanation was later withdrawn and replaced 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 <br />205 <br />West <br />5' Avenue, STE 108 Ellensburg, WA 98926 <br />(509) <br />962-7508 <br />FAX (509) 962-7679 <br />