Klobuchar to introduce 'dig once' bill

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar has introduced legislation that would require the installation of underground broadband conduit in any federally-funded transportation project.

The Minnesota Democrat says the conduit would house fiber optic cables that carry high-speed communications.

During a news conference today in St. Louis Park, Klobuchar said 90 percent of the current cost of broadband installation comes from digging up and repairing roads.

She said her "dig once" bill would try to eliminate those added excavation costs, and lessen the headaches for motorists.

"If we're going to be building a federal road, if we're going to be digging up a project for federal purposes, that is the time to put conduit under the road," said Klobuchar. "So that later, broadband providers can put their cables through there, and so that we don't have to do this again and again and again."

Klobuchar says the bill initially will be heard by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, of which she is a member. She says it could eventually be added to the federal transportation bill.

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