Traffic signals along busy Fifth Avenue South will be connected by fiber optic cables next year in an effort to reduce delays and improve the flow of vehicles.

The Fort Dodge City Council on Mon­day hired K & W Electric, of Cedar Falls, to install the cables and other equipment at a cost of $497,907.50.

The city has applied for a $245,000 Iowa Clean Air Attainment Program grant to help pay for the project.

There are 12 traffic signals on Fifth Avenue South between Eighth and 42nd Streets. They are at Eighth, 12th, 15th, 17th, 21st, 25th, 29th, 30th, 31st, 32nd, and 42nd streets, plus the entrance to Menards at 3319 Fifth Ave. S. None of those signals are connected.

In addition to linking the traffic signals, the company will install fiber optics to connect the Municipal Building, 819 First Ave. S., with the Public Works Department’s central garage at 3001 Eighth Ave. S.

”This project would improve the signal timing and allow for improved traffic flow through the Fifth Avenue South corridor in addition to connecting city hall to public works with fiber optic lines which would benefit the city’s computer networks,” City Engineer Tony Trotter wrote in a report to the council. ”City staff will then have the ability to trouble shoot and make changes to the signalized intersection at a work station located at either public works or city hall.”

The council voted unanimously to hire K & W Electric.

In other business Monday, the council:

• Vacated an undeveloped alley on the property of St. Olaf Lutheran Church, 239 N. 11th St.

• Hired Doyle Construction, of Fort Dodge, to demolish a house at 508 S. 16th St., for $17,630.