Northwestern and the City of Evanston are working together to install a new fiber optic cable system to serve both communities.

The high-speed connection will serve 15 city buildings, including police and fire stations, the public library and community centers, said City Manager Roger Crum. Eugene Sunshine NU’s senior vice president for business and finance, said the fiber optic system also will provide connections to facilities at 2020 Ridge Ave. and Ryan Field, as well as the privately owned office building at 1800 Sherman Ave., where NU is considering leasing space.

Construction is expected to begin on the network this fall and is scheduled for completion in less than two years.

Crum said though Evanston residents likely will see few visible changes, city employees will benefit from a more reliable system.

Ald. Edmund Moran (6th), one of the major architects of the agreement, said the city’s current communications system suffers from frequent failures.