RICHFORD, NY (607NewsNow) – Communication infrastructure work is underway in Tioga County.

Crews recently broke ground on the first of four new radio communications towers in the Town of Richford. Due to the shallow bedrock at the location, site work will continue over the next few weeks to reinforce the anchor system for long-term stability of the towers.

Officials call it an integral step in improving the county’s public safety communications, including interoperability with partners and agencies.

“Currently, radio transmissions can be very broken between local police, fire, and EMS to the 911 dispatch center, which can be extremely dangerous for the responders and also delay response time to and for Tioga County citizens,” said Tioga County Director of Emergency Services Corinne Cornelius.

In 2023, Tioga County received a $6 million grant to improve communications. At the time, Legislative Chair Martha Sauerbrey said they had been planning upgrades for years, but the cost was prohibitive. Sauerbrey is pleased the project is progressing.

“This is a huge step forward for the radio communications tower improvement project as well as a testament to the work of the Tioga County Emergency Management Office,” said Sauerbrey. “The Tioga County Legislature continues to fully support this project and realizes the importance of interoperability and communication between safety agencies across the county as it relates directly to the well-being of its citizens.”

The county anticipates the new system will be fully operational by the middle of 2026.