A fiber optic distribution cable assembly (20) includes a distribution cable (30) having at least one predetermined mid-span access location (22) and a tether (26) for mitigating cable length errors at the mid-span access location in a pre-engineered fiber optic communications network. At least one optical fiber (28) of the distribution cable is accessed at the mid-span access location and optically connected to an optical fiber (24) disposed within the tether (26). Preferably, the first end of the tether (26) is attached to the distribution cable (30) by overmolding the mid-span access location with a flexible encapsulant material (52). The end of the optical fiber of the tether may be splice-ready or connectorized at the second end of the tether and protected within a crush resistant tube. Alternatively, the second end of the tether may terminate in an optical connection terminal defining at least one optical connection node, or may terminate in a linear chain of articulated optical connection nodes.