Mass. Adding Broadband Access To 120 Communities

Massachusetts is kicking off a major broadband expansion project designed to deliver high speed Internet access to 120 cities and towns in the central and western regions of the state.

Gov. Deval Patrick called the planned installation of 1,300 miles of fiber-optic cable one of the largest projects of its kind under construction in the country. He said it would help end the state's geographical digital divide.

Patrick said one goal of the project is to attract more private investment by providing direct connections for the nearly 1,400 schools, libraries and hospitals that lack reliable Internet service.

Patrick kicked off the project's construction at the Sandisfield Fire Department in Berkshire County.

The project will take two years to finish, create hundreds of jobs and is being paid for with state and federal funds.