Gov. Bevin and Congressman Hal Rogers announce completion of first phase of KentuckyWired project

On Friday, Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin and Congressman Hal Rogers announced the first portion of a broadband network seeking to bring high-speed broadband to underserved areas across the state has been completed.

The fiber networks have been installed in the Louisville, Lexington, and the Cincinnati/Northern region, according to the officials. According to a press release from the governor’s office, a segment from Lexington to Somerset has also been completed, allowing for expansion of the network into Eastern Kentucky as the project moves into the next phase.

The KentuckyWired project was launched in 2014 as a way to bring high-speed broadband to underserved parts of the state through a government-owned fiber network and was touted as a way to bring jobs to the state and help citizens.

However, many have expressed skepticism as the timeline and costs for the project continue to grow.

“We are excited today to announce a significant milestone in the Commonwealth’s progress toward statewide rural broadband connectivity,” Gov. Bevin said Friday. “The completion of KentuckyWired’s initial phase is a major step in extending high-speed internet access into each of our 120 counties. This vital infrastructure will create powerful opportunities for Kentuckians through enhanced job creation, economic investment, education, health care, and countless other public and private sector services.”

When the project is completed, more than 3,000 miles of fiber optic cable will stretch across the state.

According to the release sent out Friday, KentuckyWired officials will continue work with project partners to meet the scheduled 2020 completion date.