Neon Paint Marks Utilities Under Wilson Blvd.; Preparations Made for Fiber Optic Installation

Last week, Patch reader asked on the website's Q&A forum, "What is the purpose of the street markings that are painted right now, in orange and other colors, along Clarendon and Wilson boulevards?"

I had noticed the markings, too, during my travels in Arlington and I told Razvan that I'd find out and get back to him when I got an answer. Today, I got one.

Wayne Wentz, the chief of the transportation, engineering and operations bureau of the Arlington County government, said the neon orange paint indicates the presence of underground utilities.

The county is preparing to install a brand-new fiber optic network, which will span six miles underground. Most of the installation work will be conducted underground, but Wenpz said the law requires his department to mark the location of the underground utilities on the street level for safety purposes.

The new fiber optic network will replace an aging, out-of-date copper network that currently exists, he said. It will be used to coordinate traffic monitoring cameras, street signals and for other transportation and county government-related purposes, he said.