Port’s fiber project nears completion

The end is near for construction of the Port of Whitman’s $14 million fiber optic network link through Whitman County.

Joe Poire, port executive director, reported to port commissioners at their regular meeting last Thursday, Aug. 2, that the Department of Transportation had issued its final permit, clearing the way for the strand fiber optic cable to be laid along Highway 27 from Oakesdale to Tekoa.

“So the light is on at the end of the tunnel,” said Port Commissioner Tom Kammerzell.

The SR 27 stretch is the last highway portion of the project to be laid. Debbie Snell, port properties and dev...