The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) has started installing a large-scale fiber-optic broadband network in the eastern part of its highway system in the USA.

The authority has chosen a consortium formed by Plenary Americas, Plenary Broadband Infrastructure, and Tilson to extend broadband capacity along 220 miles of the Pennsylvania Turnpike freeway. The consortium will be responsible for the maintenance, operation, and development of fiber optic network infrastructure.

Construction began in spring 2021 along the eastern part of the Turnpike mainline from Harrisburg East Interchange to the New Jersey state line and on the entire Northeastern Extension (I-476). Completion of this section is expected to occur during 2022, while the western section will be completed in 2026. The 25-year contract includes operations and maintenance services, as well as commercialization services for a fiber-optic broadband network.