Fighting Bay Fibre Optic Cable

This project involved the installation of 18kms of new Fibre Optic cable through some very steep and harsh terrain inside the Marlborough Sounds.

1700m of the project was completed using specialised rock trenching equipment that was imported from England. The remainder was installed by a large dozer mounted Bron Cable plow which had been pre-ripped by a 40 tonne Dozer. The cable was installed inside a cut 32mm subduct for protection and ploughed in at 900mm cover.

Strict Health and Safety measures were put in place and experienced operators used on the machinery in the steep terrain. The cable was tested after installation with no faults and is currently in use as one of the main feeds between the North and South Islands.