PROJECT SUMMARY
Name of Project
GCI TERRA
Location of Project
Communities ranging from Shageluk to Shaktoolik, Shaktoolik to Nome, and from Shaktoolik up to Kotzebue
Client
GCI
Situation
GCI is Alaska’s largest internet services provider and is connecting rural Alaskans with faster, more reliable, and more affordable internet. TERRA Northwest was a three phase multi-year design-build project building a terrestrial microwave system in the Northwest Arctic region of Alaska. The project spanned approximately 450 miles, connecting communities ranging from Shageluk to Shaktoolik, Shaktoolik to Nome, and from Shaktoolik up to Kotzebue.
Unique Challenges
The complexity of this project increased exponentially due to the remoteness and lack of access to the sites. Many were accessible by helicopter only, limiting equipment, materials, and support onsite.
Solution
In all, STG constructed 10 remote mountaintop repeater towers, three village backbone towers, and two 250-foot towers on the Baldwin Peninsula near Kotzebue.
STG successfully coordinated all mobilization efforts into support villages or staging areas and then on to the project sites. Major site components including communication and power shelters, tower segments, fuel tanks, and battery banks were transported to each site through the use of heavy-lift helicopters, greatly reducing the amount of time onsite.
STG was responsible for all civil activities, including foundation/civil design, applicable permitting, logistical planning, helicopter management, field labor, subcontractor management, site turn-up, testing and commissioning. STG also adhered to a very strict safety program and is are proud to have zero lost time accidents on this three-year project.
By taking a proactive management approach, STG was able to develop and maintain a schedule centered on barging deliveries, helicopter availability, and substantial completion deadlines, with the added element of downtime due to helicopter weather days. Despite these challenges, STG was able to complete the projects on time and on budget.
PROJECT PHOTOS
PROJECT SUMMARY
Name of Project
GCI TERRA
Location of Project
Communities ranging from Shageluk to Shaktoolik, Shaktoolik to Nome, and from Shaktoolik up to Kotzebue
Client
GCI
Situation
GCI is Alaska’s largest internet services provider and is connecting rural Alaskans with faster, more reliable, and more affordable internet. TERRA Northwest was a three phase multi-year design-build project building a terrestrial microwave system in the Northwest Arctic region of Alaska. The project spanned approximately 450 miles, connecting communities ranging from Shageluk to Shaktoolik, Shaktoolik to Nome, and from Shaktoolik up to Kotzebue.
Unique Challenges
The complexity of this project increased exponentially due to the remoteness and lack of access to the sites. Many were accessible by helicopter only, limiting equipment, materials, and support onsite.
Solution
In all, STG constructed 10 remote mountaintop repeater towers, three village backbone towers, and two 250-foot towers on the Baldwin Peninsula near Kotzebue.
STG successfully coordinated all mobilization efforts into support villages or staging areas and then on to the project sites. Major site components including communication and power shelters, tower segments, fuel tanks, and battery banks were transported to each site through the use of heavy-lift helicopters, greatly reducing the amount of time onsite.
STG was responsible for all civil activities, including foundation/civil design, applicable permitting, logistical planning, helicopter management, field labor, subcontractor management, site turn-up, testing and commissioning. STG also adhered to a very strict safety program and is are proud to have zero lost time accidents on this three-year project.
By taking a proactive management approach, STG was able to develop and maintain a schedule centered on barging deliveries, helicopter availability, and substantial completion deadlines, with the added element of downtime due to helicopter weather days. Despite these challenges, STG was able to complete the projects on time and on budget.