City of Bloomington Updates Fiber Projects, Launches Fiber Map, and Advances Digital Equity

The City of Bloomington is pleased to report on the status of the Meridiam/Hoosier Fiber Networks fiber build.

Fiber Project Progress

The Bloomington/Meridiam fiber project is among the most substantial construction projects in Bloomington history – as expansive as deploying Cable television, but largely underground and will be substantially complete in 3 years from construction start at the end of 2025.
Project Status
The Meridiam/Hoosier Fiber Networks fiber project, one of Bloomington’s largest infrastructure undertakings, is nearly 50% complete. To date, the project has:

• Passed over 20,300 units
• Completed 30 of 72 project areas
• Installed 186 miles of conduit

The project is on track for substantial completion by November 2025.
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Residents and businesses can now track progress with the newly launched Fiber Construction Progress Map. This interactive map provides:

• A dashboard showing construction progress
• Searchable addresses for real-time status updates
• Planned expansion areas and project timelines

This map is the result of a collaboration between the City Engineering Departments and ITS GIS Division. 

“This map would not have been possible without our Engineering Department staff members Kendall Knoke, Alexandra Gray, Kyle Baugh, and Dashiell Schonemann-Poppeliers,” said Meghan Blair, the City’s GIS Manager. “Their hard work, dedication, and expertise ensure that our residents have clear, accessible information about the status of fiber installation permits and construction.”

Advancing Digital Equity

As part of the City’s commitment to digital equity, Hoosier Fiber Networks and GigabitNow have begun providing affordable high-speed internet at the Bloomington Housing Authority’s Crestmont Apartments. This milestone ensures that Crestmont residents—and soon Reverend Butler and Walnut Woods residents—have access to quality broadband service.

“The City is thrilled to see the Bloomington Housing Authority provision from our agreement with Meridiam come to life, bringing affordable high-speed fiber Internet service to residents of the Crestmont apartment community,” said Rick Dietz, Director of ITS at the City of Bloomington.

GigabitNow's Fiber for All plan was recently recognized by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance with a "Best" ranking, one of only four plans in the country to earn this distinction. The program offers income-eligible residents high-speed fiber internet for just $9.99/month.

Construction Notes

Residents are reminded that fiber construction involves work within public rights-of-way. Issues such as unmarked sewer laterals or sprinkler systems may arise during the process. Concerns can be reported to Trueline (formerly AEG), the project’s contractor, at 1-800-315-3509.

Looking Ahead to 2025

• The City is hiring a Digital Equity Specialist to lead strategic initiatives, partner engagement, and grant administration. Applications close January 7, 2025.
• The City will update its Digital Equity Survey and Strategic Plan, aiming to secure grants to expand broadband access throughout the Bloomington area.
• Substantial completion of the fiber buildout is anticipated by year-end 2025.

For more information on Bloomington’s fiber project and digital equity efforts, visit bloomington.in.gov/fiber.

Background: City-Wide High-Speed Fiber Internet Project
In addition to the City’s Digital Equity Grant program, the City of Bloomington and Hoosier Fiber Networks continue to collaborate on one of the country’s most comprehensive, inclusive, and innovative public-private partnerships to help low-income and digitally disadvantaged households access top-quality internet service.   
Despite the end of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), The City continues to support affordable solutions to broadband access, including our Meridiam & GigabitNow partnership. Through this partnership, eligible residents can still receive high-speed fiber internet for only $9.99/month. To sign up, visit Gigabit Now's Fiber for All website.
The City of Bloomington partnered with Meridiam/Hoosier Fiber Networks in 2021 to bring high-speed internet access to all of Bloomington. ​