Lower Colorado River Authority Plans New Towers and Broadband Upgrades

Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) proposed its fiscal year 2027 business plan that includes major investments in broadband, fiber internet, and telecommunications infrastructure aimed at improving connectivity and public safety across Texas.

Projects include a new flood warning communication system in Kerr County, generator replacements for critical telecom backup power, expansion of a high-bandwidth network, and construction of two new telecom towers to support public safety and private LTE services. 

The upgrades are part of LCRA’s broader strategy to strengthen water, energy, and communication services over the next five years. 

They include:  

New Towers – FY 2027 Telecommunications Upgrade ($1.237 million): The project scope is to construct two new LCRA-owned towers adjacent to existing towers that are no longer appropriate for LCRA’s future needs and were sold to a third party. The new towers will support LCRA’s private long-term evolution network and the 700-megahertz public safety system, and they will provide future microwave links to increase bandwidth or availability on the LCRA telecommunications network.

Generator Replacements – FY 2027 Telecommunications Upgrade ($527,000): The project scope is to begin replacing obsolete generators or generator equipment that requires excessive maintenance. LCRA Telecommunications uses propane or diesel generators to provide backup power for critical telecommunications systems that support mission-critical assets for LCRA and LCRA TSC. The FY 2027 project is the first of a multiyear program to incrementally address the generators and generator equipment that need replacing.

Network Stratification – FY 2027 Telecommunications Upgrade ($1.3 million): The project scope is to continue developing a very high bandwidth network for LCRA using dense wavelength division multiplexing and other technologies. The project will allow for the creation of new and expanded business-critical networks, add capability for anticipated high-bandwidth applications at the network’s edge, and allow new technology applications to be implemented while continuing to keep mission-critical networks separate and prioritized.