FORT BRAGG, CA., 3/4/26 — Fort Bragg residents wondering whether those uneven asphalt patches in sidewalks will ever go away can stop scratching their heads.
The city says residents can expect permanent sidewalk repairs – just not yet. The temporary “cold patch” material currently filling excavation areas is part of an early construction phase of the city’s fiber-optic broadband installation, according to Fort Bragg’s Economic Development Manager Sarah McCormick.
The city is building a publicly operated fiber-to-the-premises network that will deliver high-speed internet service to every home and business in Fort Bragg by connecting to the state’s Middle Mile infrastructure.
McCormick explained that construction crews first drill underground and install conduit and utility boxes, which are temporarily sealed with cold patch asphalt before fiber lines are pulled and tested.
“Once the fiber is installed and tested, then we can go to the restoration,” McCormick said. “Folks that are worried about seeing the cold patch, just for them to know, we’re early in the process and it will be addressed.”
Some patches have become uneven after rain caused the material to settle, and crews have already returned to repair certain locations. Permanent sidewalk restoration will occur after major installation work is completed, which may now extend beyond the city’s original June target date.
McCormick said the project timeline could run later into the year, adding that sidewalk repairs will follow construction and depend partly on weather conditions as concrete work can’t be done in wet weather.
In the meantime, residents who encounter significant sidewalk hazards can make a report to the City of Fort Bragg Public Works Department by calling City Hall at (707) 961-2824 or submitting a service request online.
Why did they wait till now? To tell us that. Why would any construction company or whoever leave stuff so unsafe? They’re asking for a lawsuit. Are they gonna cement the streets also?
I am surprised there aren’t already several lawsuits about this property damage and dangerous conditions. Residents shouldn’t have to tell the City of FB where all the bas spots are, they should just be fixing all of them and doing it promptly.
Sorry they’re trying to give everyone super cheap fiber internet. jesus, people will whine about anything 😭😭😭