Lightpath, a company that owns, builds and operates an AI-grade, all-fiber network across eleven major U.S. metro markets, has now secured an anchor award to build a long-haul fiber route of 392 miles between Columbus, Ohio and Chicago, Illinois. The project includes 327 miles of new underground, multi-conduit fiber infrastructure across three states. This is the company’s first long-haul route built entirely in-house with completion planned for Q4 2028.
Lightpath aims to deliver high-capacity, low-latency connectivity for cloud, hyperscale, data center and mission-critical enterprise workloads. According to a press release, the Columbus–Chicago build will include eight LightCube Data Centers, seven of them new, providing colocation space, power, amplification, and interconnection along the route. Lightpath also plans to offer conduit, inter-ducts, dark fiber, colocation, wavelength services, and higher-capacity connectivity for hyperscale, carrier, and enterprise customers.
Chris Morley, CEO, Lightpath,said, “The Columbus-to-Chicago corridor reflects sustained hyperscale demand for high-capacity, long-haul fiber built to production-grade standards. Connecting two of the world’s fastest-growing data center markets on our own purpose-built infrastructure positions Lightpath to support the next generation of AI and cloud workloads at scale.”
Tim Haverkate, Chief Commercial Officer, Lightpath, said, “This route opens a new dimension of the network for our customers and creates a durable entry point into the Chicago market toward continued strategic expansion.”
The route is Lightpath’s second owned long-haul fiber system. In late 2024, the company acquired a 323-mile New York-to-Ashburn fiber network with 864 strands, which it positioned as part of its AI infrastructure expansion strategy.
The project is part of Lightpath’s broader effort to expand fiber infrastructure across major U.S. markets to support hyperscale, carrier, and enterprise connectivity demand. The first segment expected to go live is the southern span from Columbus to South Bend. The company is also evaluating additional in-line amplifier placements to expand capacity for fiber and optical transport customers.