Internet service provider companies currently working on building out fiber optic networks to service Chanhassen. The work they are doing is basically the same, but it may be happening at different times in your neighborhood. Each company has their own specific contractors and communication protocols.

Internet service providers will be installing fiber-optic cables, which may involve visible work in the public rights-of-way, and utility easement areas, such as street and sidewalk areas.

Yes, they are. Comcast and Metronet have obtained permits from the city to install fiber-optic cable in public rights-of-way and utility easements.

A public right-of-way (ROW), or land set aside for public use, often extends 10-15 feet beyond the curb or street edge, sometimes reaching into a homeowner's front yard. Easement rights give the city the legal authority to use this land for such public needs as roadways, sidewalks and trails, and utility infrastructure. 

Additionally, beyond the city ROW, most properties have a Drainage and Utility Easement (D&U) where these can be installed. These are within the property limits and can range from 5-10 feet, and may be located within the property on the front, back, and side lot lines.

The work is being done by internet service provider contractors, not by the City of Chanhassen.

The internet service providers will use door hanger messages (click here for an example) and other contact methods to indicate who is doing the work.

Additionally, residents can use the Fiber Buildout Status map above to see who is actively working in an area. If you have concerns, please contact the appropriate internet service provider via their contact information above.

Prior to work starting in the area, and while door hangers are being placed, the area where work will take place will have white flags placed on the ground. This is to help locaters know where they need to locate other utilities so that they can be avoided. If Irrigation lines or other utilities owned by the homeowner are present this is when they can be located and that information shared with the contractors.

As part of the process to identify underground utilities, internet service provider companies and their construction partners will file a request through the 811 system, which notifies utility companies to mark the locations of their underground lines in the public right-of-way and utility easements in your neighborhood. Different utility companies will then send out crews to mark the ground with flags or paint to show where existing infrastructure is located, ensuring the new construction won’t interfere with or damage any current lines. These markings use specific colors to indicate different types of utilities, following Minnesota’s 811 safe digging guidelines.

Typically, about 5 to 7 days after this marking process is completed, crews will begin installing conduit, fiber, and coaxial cables in your neighborhood. Most of this work will take place in public areas, such as rights-of-way and easements. In rare cases, when work needs to be done on public easements that are part of private property, contractors will directly inform residents before starting.

Before construction starts in your neighborhood, you'll receive a door hanger with a local phone number you can call if you have any questions about the work being done. Click here to see an example of Comcast’s door hangers.

Here are a few examples what construction trucks, drills and vans will look like when construction occurs:

Typically, the contractors will be in and out of a neighborhood in a matter of weeks. However, because multiple internet service providers are building out their respective systems, a single residence or neighborhood may experience construction activities multiple times throughout the season.

Final restoration can sometimes take time. If you notice an area hasn’t been worked on for longer than two weeks and there is unrestored property, please contact the city's Engineering Department.

Not until the installation is complete. Once the contractors are done installing the cable and boxes, they should be the ones to remove the flags. Removing these flags is against the law.

If you have an invisible fence or an irrigation system, please mark these areas for the workers. Any damage done to them is ultimately the internet provider's responsibility to fix, but marking them ahead of construction can help avoid potential damage.

The City of Chanhassen does not know what properties have invisible fencing and/or irrigation lines.  The city has made the utility companies abundantly aware that these private improvements exist in the right of way and easements.  Most of the installation is done via drilling at a depth much lower than the pet fencing and irrigation. However, in the areas where they are digging holes for vaults, crews should be hand digging to avoid damaging these types of infrastructure.

If you see flags showing up in your yard and/or a contractor working toward your yard, it’s a best practice to make them aware of where your infrastructure is located so that they are aware. If Metronet is scheduled to work in your neighborhood, let them know what services you have in your yard by filling out this form. If other internet service providers are scheduled to work in your neighborhood, you will receive a Construction Alert doorhanger in advance of their work, which includes reminders for you to mark sprinklers and electric fences.

After the initial installation of fiber optic lines, contractors typically return within 3–4 weeks to complete necessary underground work like placing “handholes” — access points for future maintenance. Even if active drilling appears to be done, this second phase is essential and planned (this is why you will still see utility flags in your yard).

Yard restoration is an ongoing process that often happens in phases. Once construction is complete, crews return to restore lawns by applying topsoil, grass seed or hydro mulch (a spray-on mixture of seed and mulch), and sometimes erosion control measures. Residents may notice workers returning periodically to monitor and maintain these areas, including watering. Full lawn recovery can take time depending on weather and growing conditions.

If you have concerns or questions about the construction in your neighborhood, you will find a contact number on the door hanger or other notifications left by the internet service providers.

For immediate concerns, please contact the city's Engineering Department.

The Fiber Buildout Status map (above) has information on individual properties, allowing residents to know which service provider has services installed in their area. This map is updated regularly.