The fiber optic cable will enable CDOT to prioritize certain roads or CATS bus routes when needed.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. โ Charlotte City Council approved more than half a million dollars Monday night to install 4 miles of fiber optic cable in east Charlotte, a move officials say will improve traffic flow and safety in the area.
The $569,601 will go to a project connecting traffic signals along a stretch from Robinson Church Road to Harrisburg Road, allowing the city’s Department of Transportation to synchronize signals and better manage congestion.
“It is literally a cable that connects between traffic signals, that allows us to sync those together,” Ashley Landis with the Charlotte Department of Transportation said. “It’s also a way for us to manage traffic, if there were an accident or something like that, that we could use our systems to help the flow of traffic better.”
The fiber optic network will enable CDOT to prioritize certain roads or CATS bus routes when needed, Landis said.
“It’s great for congestion. It’s great for emergency management,” she said.
The investment is part of the city’s Strategic Investment Area in east Charlotte. Councilman JD Mazuera Arias, who represents the area, said the upgrades are long overdue.
“Coming forth to the 21st Century,” he said. “Ensuring that these roads that have been outdated and not looked after or cared for so long are absolutely taken care of and ensuring the safety of our residents in District Five.”
The improvements take on added significance after the most recent Vision Zero report showed many of the intersections with the most injuries are in District Five.
“Public safety does not only look at violent crimes,” Arias said. “It looks at sidewalks, bicycles. Are bicyclists safe? Are people having access to internet? Are people being able to walk freely and safely on our sidewalks during a busy intersection?
While the upgrades promise long-term benefits, drivers should expect short-term traffic disruptions during construction along the affected roads.
The project also ties into larger city initiatives, including the mobility plan, by helping close gaps and improve access to transit, according to Landis.
The city expects the project to be completed by the end of 2025.
Contact Julie Kay at juliekay@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
