The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) began laying fiber optic conduit along a 46-mile stretch of I-17 between Flagstaff and Sedona Tuesday — part of a project to bring broadband internet access to rural communities in that state.
Crews began laying the conduit along southbound I-17 from milepost 340 in Flagstaff to milepost 296, just south of the junction with SR 179. During the project, expected to be completed by summer of 2022, right-lane restrictions will effect drivers along southbound I-17.
The broadband initiative is made possible by a partnership between ADOT and the Arizona Commerce Authority. The project will create more affordable opportunities to provide rural communities in Arizona with high-speed internet service. ADOT’s role will be to provide access to its right-of-way along the four main interstates in the state to place the conduit for rural internet providers.
Additionally, ADOT plans to use the fiber to provide “smart highway” technology, such as overhead message boards, traffic cameras, weather stations and wrong-way driving detection technology. The conduit will also lay the groundwork for emerging technologies like connected and automated vehicles.
Fiber-optic conduit already exists along freeways in the Phoenix and Tucson areas, as well as along a stretch of Interstate 10 near Eloy for a dust detection and warning system.