Public-private partnership in Arizona to manage, maintain and lease fiber-optic conduit along highways

Arizona's goal of expanding broadband internet access in rural areas is taking a step forward with a public-private partnership. The agreement with eX² Technology is to operate, maintain and lease space in fiber-optic conduit installed along Interstate 17 and Interstate 19, and being installed later in 2024 along much of Interstate 40. The Arizona Department of Transportation—in partnership with Governor Katie Hobbs and the Arizona Commerce Authority—entered into the agreement recently with eX² Technology, an Omaha, Nebraska, firm with extensive experience working with state and local governments to manage what is often referred to as middle-mile fiber-optic infrastructure. The partnership complements a state law that allows private broadband providers to install, operate, and maintain telecommunications equipment within ADOT’s right of way using conduit installed along state highways. ADOT plans to use the fiber-optic conduit to provide intelligent transportation systems technology, such as overhead message boards, traffic cameras, weather stations, and wrong-way driving detection. The infrastructure also will help lay the groundwork for emerging technologies like connected and automated vehicles. The initial scope for this 25-year agreement includes fiber-optic conduit along I-17 from Phoenix to Flagstaff, I-19 from Tucson to Nogales, and conduit to be installed on Interstate 40 from Flagstaff to California. It will be available for lease by internet service providers looking to expand broadband internet access.